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A330dHybridvsBA4 40Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330d · A4 40

BMW 330d xDrive G20 vs Audi A4 40 TDI: 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 · 2019 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

330d xDrive G20

265 hp · 580 Nm · 1,745 kg · 2019

VS
AudiDiesel

A4 40 TDI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,575 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330d xDrive G20

5.45 s

Gap2.34 sin favour of 330d xDrive
BAudi A4 40 TDI

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330d xDrive G20A4 40 TDIGap
0–100 km/h5.45 s7.79 s2.34 s · 330d xDrive G20
400 m standing start13.77 s15.77 s2.00 s · 330d xDrive G20
1,000 m standing start25.28 s28.09 s2.81 s · 330d xDrive G20
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h242 km/h8 km/h · 330d xDrive G20
Power-to-weight ratio6.58 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330d xDrive G20

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid330d xDrive G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA4 40 TDI
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 xDrive G20A4 40 TDI
0–30 km/h1.16 s2.16 s
0–50 km/h1.97 s3.61 s
0–80 km/h3.80 s5.84 s
0–100 km/h5.45 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h7.54 s10.28 s
0–160 km/h13.36 s17.57 s
0–200 km/h22.66 s30.63 s
400 m standing start13.77 s15.77 s
1,000 m standing start25.28 s28.09 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 xDrive G20

6,58kg/hpratio better by 1,70 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp6 cyl
Torque580 Nm
Weight1 745 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A4 40 TDI

8,29kg/hpcompensated by −170 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 575 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.45 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the 330d xDrive leads by 2.34 s and sits roughly 32 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330d xDrive is doing 131 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 1.66 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330d xDrive crosses the line in 13.76 s versus 15.77 s. The 2.00 s gap represents roughly 82 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 182 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330d xDrive finishes in 25.28 s versus 28.08 s, with a 2.80 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 xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TDI’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.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 330d xDrive never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.58 kg/hp vs 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.76 seconds. The 2.34 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 xDrive G20
BMW 320d
Instead of A4 40 TDI
Audi A5 SedanAudi A5 Sedan TDI quattro S tronic 150 kW

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

330d xDrive vs A5 Avant

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 320d

BMWVSAudi

330d xDrive vs A5 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 320d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 330d xDrive G20 wins (5,45 s vs 7,79 s).

330d xDrive G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).

330d xDrive G20: 265 hp, ratio 6,58 kg/hp. A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

330d xDrive G20: 250 km/h. A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h.