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ARS 5PHEVvsBX3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsRS 5 · X3

Audi RS 5 Sedan vs BMW X3 M40i G01: 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 2020 · Methodology
AudiPHEVFaster

RS 5 Sedan

639 hp · 825 Nm · 2,355 kg · 2026

VS
BMWPetrol

X3 M40i G01

360 hp · 500 Nm · 1,845 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi RS 5 Sedan

3.73 s

Gap1.05 sin favour of RS 5 Sedan
BBMW X3 M40i G01

4.78 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureRS 5 SedanX3 M40i G01Gap
0–100 km/h3.73 s4.78 s1.05 s · RS 5 Sedan
400 m standing start11.78 s13.02 s1.24 s · RS 5 Sedan
1,000 m standing start21.38 s23.68 s2.30 s · RS 5 Sedan
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio3.69 kg/hp5.13 kg/hpbetter ratio · RS 5 Sedan

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
BMWPetrolX3 M40i G01
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 SedanX3 M40i G01
0–30 km/h1.01 s1.28 s
0–50 km/h1.68 s2.12 s
0–80 km/h2.74 s3.53 s
0–100 km/h3.73 s4.78 s
0–120 km/h4.89 s6.35 s
0–160 km/h8.03 s10.65 s
0–200 km/h12.49 s17.43 s
400 m standing start11.78 s13.02 s
1,000 m standing start21.38 s23.68 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/hpratio better by 1,44 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power639 hpPending
Torque825 Nm
Weight2 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed tiptronic
BMW

X3 M40i G01

5,13kg/hpcompensated by −510 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power360 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 845 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the RS 5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 3.73 s versus 4.78 s for the X3 M40i. The instant torque of 825 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the RS 5 Sedan leads by 1.05 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the RS 5 Sedan is doing 156 km/h against 142 km/h for the X3 M40i. The gap is 0.84 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the RS 5 Sedan crosses the line in 11.77 s versus 13.02 s. The 1.25 s gap represents roughly 60 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the RS 5 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 218 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 5 Sedan finishes in 21.38 s versus 23.67 s, with a 2.30 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 X3 M40i 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 7.26 seconds. The 1.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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RS 5 Sedan vs M440i Gran Coupé

BMWVSPorsche

X3 M40i vs Macan GTS

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, RS 5 Sedan wins (3,73 s vs 4,78 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. X3 M40i G01: 360 hp, ratio 5,13 kg/hp.

RS 5 Sedan: 250 km/h. X3 M40i G01: 250 km/h.