Over 0–100 km/h, SQ5 Sportback wins (4,42 s vs 6,93 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.
| SQ5 Sportback | Q8 SUV | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,42 s−2,51 s | 6,93 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,76 s−2,28 s | 15,04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,50 s−4,28 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+24 km/h | 226 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,56 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,35 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 | SQ5 Sportback | Q8 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,06 s | 1,31 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,78 s | 2,33 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,15 s | 4,69 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,42 s | 6,93 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,02 s | 9,81 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,50 s | 18,24 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,55 s | 34,32 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,76 s | 15,04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,50 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 226 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 | 2 040 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 231 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 160 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the SQ5 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.42 s versus 6.93 s for the Q8 SUV. At this point, the SQ5 Sportback leads by 2.51 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the SQ5 Sportback is doing 142 km/h against 119 km/h for the Q8 SUV. The gap is 1.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the SQ5 Sportback crosses the line in 12.76 s versus 15.03 s. The 2.28 s gap represents roughly 90 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the SQ5 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 165 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the SQ5 Sportback finishes in 23.50 s versus 27.77 s, with a 4.27 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the SQ5 Sportback is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Q8 SUV at 226 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 (5.56 kg/hp vs 9.35 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.52 seconds. The 2.51 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, SQ5 Sportback wins (4,42 s vs 6,93 s).
SQ5 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,42 seconds (calibrated simulation).
SQ5 Sportback: 367 hp, ratio 5,56 kg/hp. Q8 SUV: 231 hp, ratio 9,35 kg/hp.
SQ5 Sportback: 250 km/h. Q8 SUV: 226 km/h.