Over 0–100 km/h, S8 wins (3,83 s vs 6,98 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.
| S8 | 223i xDrive Active Tourer G42 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s−3,15 s | 6,98 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s−3,31 s | 15,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s−5,94 s | 27,21 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+12 km/h | 238 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,41 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 | S8 | 223i xDrive Active Tourer G42 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,07 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,78 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,88 s | 5,14 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s | 6,98 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,97 s | 9,33 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,99 s | 16,13 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,24 s | 28,39 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s | 15,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s | 27,21 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 238 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 571 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 800 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 220 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 218 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 360 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 615 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission |
Off the line, the S8 hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 6.98 s for the Bmw 223i xDrive Active Tourer. At this point, the S8 leads by 3.15 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S8 is doing 157 km/h against 125 km/h for the Bmw 223i xDrive Active Tourer. The gap is 2.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S8 crosses the line in 11.81 s versus 15.12 s. The 3.31 s gap represents roughly 135 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S8 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 222 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S8 finishes in 21.26 s versus 27.21 s, with a 5.94 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 238 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S8 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 223i xDrive Active Tourer at 238 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 (3.89 kg/hp vs 7.41 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.73 seconds. The 3.15 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S8 wins (3,83 s vs 6,98 s).
S8 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S8: 571 hp, ratio 3,89 kg/hp. 223i xDrive Active Tourer G42: 218 hp, ratio 7,41 kg/hp.
S8: 250 km/h. 223i xDrive Active Tourer G42: 238 km/h.