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A430ivsBA5Petrol
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  • Specs430i · A5

BMW 430i F32 vs Audi A5 Avant: 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 · 2020 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

430i F32

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,545 kg · 2020

VS
AudiPetrol

A5 Avant

204 hp · 340 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 430i F32

5.73 s

Gap1.99 sin favour of 430i
BAudi A5 Avant

7.72 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure430i F32A5 AvantGap
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.72 s1.99 s · 430i F32
400 m standing start13.98 s15.71 s1.73 s · 430i F32
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.94 s2.59 s · 430i F32
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h245 km/h5 km/h · 430i F32
Power-to-weight ratio5.99 kg/hp8.38 kg/hpbetter ratio · 430i F32

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol430i F32
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA5 Avant
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.
Stage430i F32A5 Avant
0–30 km/h1.42 s2.12 s
0–50 km/h2.36 s3.53 s
0–80 km/h4.12 s5.76 s
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.72 s
0–120 km/h7.73 s10.23 s
0–160 km/h13.25 s17.35 s
0–200 km/h22.00 s29.43 s
400 m standing start13.98 s15.71 s
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.94 s
Top speed limited250 km/h245 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

430i F32

5,99kg/hpratio better by 2,39 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 545 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A5 Avant

8,38kg/hpcompensated by −165 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque340 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 430i hits 100 km/h in 5.73 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Avant. At this point, the 430i leads by 1.99 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 430i is doing 132 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 1.34 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 430i crosses the line in 13.97 s versus 15.70 s. The 1.73 s gap represents roughly 71 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 430i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 430i finishes in 25.35 s versus 27.94 s, with a 2.59 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 430i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the A5 Avant at 245 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 (5.99 kg/hp vs 8.38 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.72 seconds. The 1.99 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 430i F32
BMW 420iBMW 420i xDrive Gran CoupeBMW 430i
Instead of A5 Avant
Audi A5 Avant

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A5 Avant vs 320i Sedan

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 430i F32 wins (5,73 s vs 7,72 s).

430i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

430i F32: 258 hp, ratio 5,99 kg/hp. A5 Avant: 204 hp, ratio 8,38 kg/hp.

430i F32: 250 km/h. A5 Avant: 245 km/h.