Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 8,33 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 | 318i G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s−3,83 s | 8,33 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s−3,27 s | 16,07 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s−6,05 s | 29,44 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+27 km/h | 223 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,31 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,55 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 | 318i G20 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 1,65 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 2,89 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,22 s | 5,71 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s | 8,33 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,11 s | 11,68 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,43 s | 21,84 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,98 s | 43,57 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s | 16,07 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s | 29,44 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 223 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 | 156 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 490 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the S5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.50 s versus 8.33 s for the 318i. At this point, the S5 Sedan leads by 3.83 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S5 Sedan is doing 142 km/h against 113 km/h for the 318i. The gap is 2.10 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S5 Sedan crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 16.06 s. The 3.27 s gap represents roughly 121 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 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S5 Sedan finishes in 23.38 s versus 29.44 s, with a 6.05 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S5 Sedan is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 318i at 223 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 (5.31 kg/hp vs 9.55 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.71 seconds. The 3.83 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 8,33 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. 318i G20: 156 hp, ratio 9,55 kg/hp.
S5 Sedan: 250 km/h. 318i G20: 223 km/h.