Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 7,31 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | S4 TDI | CLA 220 Saloon | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4.83 s | 7.31 s | 2.47 s · S4 TDI |
| 400 m standing start | 13.12 s | 15.32 s | 2.20 s · S4 TDI |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.86 s | 27.54 s | 3.68 s · S4 TDI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 240 km/h | 10 km/h · S4 TDI |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.10 kg/hp | 8.08 kg/hp | better ratio · S4 TDI |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | S4 TDI | CLA 220 Saloon |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.27 s | 1.78 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.06 s | 3.00 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.50 s | 5.21 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.83 s | 7.31 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6.50 s | 9.81 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11.04 s | 16.96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17.95 s | 28.48 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.12 s | 15.32 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.86 s | 27.54 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 240 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 211 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 380 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 705 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the S4 TDI hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 7.31 s for the CLA 220 Saloon. At this point, the S4 TDI leads by 2.47 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S4 TDI is doing 140 km/h against 122 km/h for the CLA 220 Saloon. The gap is 1.52 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S4 TDI crosses the line in 13.12 s versus 15.32 s. The 2.20 s gap represents roughly 89 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 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S4 TDI finishes in 23.86 s versus 27.53 s, with a 3.68 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The S4 TDI features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the CLA 220 Saloon’s FWD. 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 are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S4 TDI is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the CLA 220 Saloon at 240 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.10 kg/hp vs 8.08 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.41 seconds. The 2.47 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 7,31 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. CLA 220 Saloon: 211 hp, ratio 8,08 kg/hp.
S4 TDI: 250 km/h. CLA 220 Saloon: 240 km/h.