Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,67 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| S4 TDI | 530d Touring G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,83 s−0,83 s | 5,67 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,12 s−0,84 s | 13,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,86 s−1,70 s | 25,56 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,10 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,52 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S4 TDI | 530d Touring G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,27 s | 1,26 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,06 s | 2,10 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,50 s | 3,96 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,83 s | 5,67 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,50 s | 7,81 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,04 s | 13,78 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,95 s | 23,32 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,12 s | 13,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,86 s | 25,56 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 354 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 805 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 286 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 865 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the S4 TDI hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.67 s for the Bmw 530d Touring. At this point, the S4 TDI leads by 0.84 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S4 TDI is doing 140 km/h against 130 km/h for the Bmw 530d Touring. The gap is 0.47 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S4 TDI crosses the line in 13.12 s versus 13.96 s. The 0.84 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S4 TDI continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 195 km/h versus 181 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S4 TDI finishes in 23.86 s versus 25.56 s, with a 1.70 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.
The S4 TDI features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 530d Touring’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S4 TDI and the Bmw 530d Touring 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.10 kg/hp vs 6.52 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.07 seconds. The 0.84 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,67 s).
S4 TDI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S4 TDI: 354 hp, ratio 5,10 kg/hp. 530d Touring G30: 286 hp, ratio 6,52 kg/hp.
S4 TDI: 250 km/h. 530d Touring G30: 250 km/h.