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ARS 5PHEVvsBM5Petrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsRS 5 · M5

Audi RS 5 Sedan vs BMW M5 Competition F90: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2026 vs 2018 · Methodology
AudiPHEV

RS 5 Sedan

639 hp · 825 Nm · 2,355 kg · 2026

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

M5 Competition F90

625 hp · 750 Nm · 1,865 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi RS 5 Sedan

3.73 s

Gap0.40 sin favour of M5 Competition
BBMW M5 Competition F90

3.33 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureRS 5 SedanM5 Competition F90Gap
0–100 km/h3.73 s3.33 s0.40 s · M5 Competition F90
400 m standing start11.78 s11.11 s0.67 s · M5 Competition F90
1,000 m standing start21.38 s20.22 s1.16 s · M5 Competition F90
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio3.69 kg/hp2.98 kg/hpbetter ratio · M5 Competition F90

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

AudiPHEVRS 5 Sedan
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrolM5 Competition F90
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageRS 5 SedanM5 Competition F90
0–30 km/h1.01 s1.01 s
0–50 km/h1.68 s1.68 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h2.74 s2.63 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h3.73 s3.33 s
0–120 km/h4.89 s4.12 s
0–160 km/h8.03 s6.67 s
0–200 km/h12.49 s10.30 s
400 m standing start11.78 s11.11 s
1,000 m standing start21.38 s20.22 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Audi

RS 5 Sedan

3,69kg/hpcompensated by −490 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power639 hpPending
Torque825 Nm
Weight2 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed tiptronic
BMW

M5 Competition F90

2,98kg/hpratio better by 0,70 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power625 hpPending
Torque750 Nm
Weight1 865 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, transmission oil cooling

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M5 Competition hits 100 km/h in 3.33 s versus 3.73 s for the RS 5 Sedan. Despite lacking instant torque, 625 hp of power compensates. At this point, the M5 Competition leads by 0.40 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M5 Competition is doing 168 km/h against 156 km/h for the RS 5 Sedan. The gap is 0.39 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the M5 Competition crosses the line in 11.11 s versus 11.77 s. The 0.67 s gap represents roughly 35 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M5 Competition continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 234 km/h versus 218 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M5 Competition finishes in 20.21 s versus 21.38 s, with a 1.16 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the RS 5 Sedan and the M5 Competition are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.57 seconds. The 0.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M5 Competition F90 wins (3,33 s vs 3,73 s).

RS 5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

RS 5 Sedan: 639 hp, ratio 3,69 kg/hp. M5 Competition F90: 625 hp, ratio 2,98 kg/hp.

RS 5 Sedan: 250 km/h. M5 Competition F90: 250 km/h.