Over 0–100 km/h, 420d F32 wins (7,04 s vs 9,65 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.
| 420d F32 | A5 Avant | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,04 s−2,61 s | 9,65 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,11 s−1,96 s | 17,07 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,78 s−3,18 s | 30,96 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+26 km/h | 214 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,45 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,40 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 | 420d F32 | A5 Avant |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,37 s | 2,19 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,40 s | 3,66 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,80 s | 6,73 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,04 s | 9,65 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,85 s | 13,50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,13 s | 25,35 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 33,30 s | 53,14 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,11 s | 17,07 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,78 s | 30,96 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 214 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 605 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 280 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 710 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 420d hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 9.65 s for the A5 Avant. At this point, the Bmw 420d leads by 2.61 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420d is doing 119 km/h against 109 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 1.45 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420d crosses the line in 15.10 s versus 17.07 s. The 1.96 s gap represents roughly 71 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 420d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420d finishes in 27.77 s versus 30.95 s, with a 3.18 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 420d is capped at 240 km/h, the A5 Avant at 214 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 (8.45 kg/hp vs 11.40 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.83 seconds. The 2.61 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 420d F32 wins (7,04 s vs 9,65 s).
420d F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp. A5 Avant: 150 hp, ratio 11,40 kg/hp.
420d F32: 240 km/h. A5 Avant: 214 km/h.