Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Avant and Z4 M40i G29 are neck and neck (4,53 s vs 4,54 s, no significant gap).
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.
| S5 Avant | Z4 M40i G29 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,53 s−0,02 s | 4,54 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,84 s | 12,72 s+0,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,49 s | 23,00 s+0,49 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,35 kg/hp | 4,57 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S5 Avant | Z4 M40i G29 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 1,26 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 2,11 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,23 s | 3,41 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,53 s | 4,54 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,15 s | 5,97 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,55 s | 9,81 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,29 s | 15,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,84 s | 12,72 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,49 s | 23,00 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 | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 965 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 555 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the S5 Avant hits 100 km/h in 4.53 s versus 4.55 s for the Z4 M40i. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the S5 Avant is doing 142 km/h against 147 km/h for the Z4 M40i. The gap is 0.04 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Z4 M40i crosses the line in 12.71 s versus 12.83 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Z4 M40i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 204 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Z4 M40i finishes in 23.00 s versus 23.49 s, with a 0.49 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.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S5 Avant and the Z4 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.35 kg/hp vs 4.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.09 seconds. The 0.02 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, S5 Avant and Z4 M40i G29 are neck and neck (4,53 s vs 4,54 s, no significant gap).
S5 Avant goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S5 Avant: 367 hp, ratio 5,35 kg/hp. Z4 M40i G29: 340 hp, ratio 4,57 kg/hp.
S5 Avant: 250 km/h. Z4 M40i G29: 250 km/h.