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A330dHybridvsBA5Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330d · A5

BMW 330d F30 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.

saloon · 2013 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

330d F30

258 hp · 560 Nm · 1,750 kg · 2013

VS
AudiDiesel

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 400 Nm · 1,820 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330d F30

5.40 s

Gap2.39 sin favour of 330d
BAudi A5 Sedan

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330d F30A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h5.40 s7.79 s2.39 s · 330d F30
400 m standing start13.72 s15.74 s2.02 s · 330d F30
1,000 m standing start25.01 s28.63 s3.62 s · 330d F30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h242 km/h8 km/h · 330d F30
Power-to-weight ratio6.78 kg/hp8.92 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330d F30

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid330d F30
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.
Stage330d F30A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.38 s1.83 s
0–50 km/h2.24 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h3.90 s5.46 s
0–100 km/h5.40 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h7.31 s10.74 s
0–160 km/h12.66 s19.81 s
0–200 km/h21.37 s34.87 s
400 m standing start13.72 s15.74 s
1,000 m standing start25.01 s28.63 s
Top speed limited250 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

330d F30

6,78kg/hpratio better by 2,14 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp6 cyl
Torque560 Nm
Weight1 750 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A5 Sedan

8,92kg/hpcompensated by −70 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 330d hits 100 km/h in 5.40 s versus 7.79 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the 330d leads by 2.39 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330d is doing 134 km/h against 117 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 1.34 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330d crosses the line in 13.71 s versus 15.74 s. The 2.02 s gap represents roughly 79 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330d finishes in 25.01 s versus 28.62 s, with a 3.62 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The 330d features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A5 Sedan’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.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 330d is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the A5 Sedan at 242 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 (6.78 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 2.39 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 330d F30
BMW 330d xDriveBMW 320d
Instead of A5 Sedan
Audi A5 Sedan TDI quattro S tronic 150 kW

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BMWVSAudi

330d vs A5 Sedan TDI quattro S tronic 150 kW

AudiVSBMW

A5 Sedan vs 320d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 330d F30 wins (5,40 s vs 7,79 s).

330d F30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,40 seconds (calibrated simulation).

330d F30: 258 hp, ratio 6,78 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp.

330d F30: 250 km/h. A5 Sedan: 242 km/h.