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A125iPetrolvsBA5Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs125i · A5

BMW 125i F20LCI vs Audi A5 Sedan: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2018 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

125i F20LCI

224 hp · 310 Nm · 1,400 kg · 2018

VS
AudiDiesel

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 400 Nm · 1,820 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 125i F20LCI

6.15 s

Gap1.64 sin favour of 125i
BAudi A5 Sedan

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure125i F20LCIA5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h6.15 s7.79 s1.64 s · 125i F20LCI
400 m standing start14.36 s15.74 s1.38 s · 125i F20LCI
1,000 m standing start25.91 s28.63 s2.72 s · 125i F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)243 km/h242 km/h1 km/h · 125i F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio6.25 kg/hp8.92 kg/hpbetter ratio · 125i F20LCI

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPetrol125i F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA5 Sedan
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage125i F20LCIA5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.66 s1.83 s
0–50 km/h2.77 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h4.57 s5.46 s
0–100 km/h6.15 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h8.17 s10.74 s
0–160 km/h13.86 s19.81 s
0–200 km/h23.72 s34.87 s
400 m standing start14.36 s15.74 s
1,000 m standing start25.91 s28.63 s
Top speed243 km/h242 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

125i F20LCI

6,25kg/hpratio better by 2,67 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 400 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A5 Sedan

8,92kg/hpcompensated by −420 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 820 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 125i hits 100 km/h in 6.15 s versus 7.79 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the 125i leads by 1.64 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 125i is doing 131 km/h against 117 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 0.80 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 125i crosses the line in 14.35 s versus 15.74 s. The 1.38 s gap represents roughly 54 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 125i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 182 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 125i finishes in 25.91 s versus 28.62 s, with a 2.72 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (243 vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 125i and the A5 Sedan are governed to 243 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 (6.25 kg/hp vs 8.92 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.41 seconds. The 1.64 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of A5 Sedan
Audi A3 Sedan

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 125i F20LCI wins (6,15 s vs 7,79 s).

125i F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).

125i F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,25 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp.

125i F20LCI: 243 km/h. A5 Sedan: 242 km/h.