Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 7,79 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.
| S5 Sedan | A4 40 TDI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s−3,29 s | 7,79 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s−2,97 s | 15,77 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s−4,70 s | 28,09 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+8 km/h | 242 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,31 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,29 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 | S5 Sedan | A4 40 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 2,16 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 3,61 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,22 s | 5,84 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s | 7,79 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,11 s | 10,28 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,43 s | 17,57 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,98 s | 30,63 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s | 15,77 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s | 28,09 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 242 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 | 1 950 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 575 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.50 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the S5 Sedan leads by 3.29 s and sits roughly 31 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S5 Sedan is doing 142 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 2.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S5 Sedan crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 15.77 s. The 2.97 s gap represents roughly 119 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S5 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S5 Sedan finishes in 23.38 s versus 28.08 s, with a 4.70 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The S5 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TDI’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.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the S5 Sedan never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.31 kg/hp vs 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.76 seconds. The 3.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 7,79 s).
S5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,50 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S5 Sedan: 367 hp, ratio 5,31 kg/hp. A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
S5 Sedan: 250 km/h. A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h.