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A520ePHEVvsBA5Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs520e · A5

BMW 520e G30 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.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

520e G30

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
AudiPetrol

A5 Sedan

150 hp · 280 Nm · 1,695 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 520e G30

8.07 s

Gap1.91 sin favour of 520e
BAudi A5 Sedan

9.98 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure520e G30A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h8.07 s9.98 s1.91 s · 520e G30
400 m standing start15.87 s17.30 s1.43 s · 520e G30
1,000 m standing start29.49 s31.28 s1.79 s · 520e G30
Top speed (electronically limited)213 km/h216 km/h3 km/h · A5 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio9.31 kg/hp11.30 kg/hpbetter ratio · 520e G30

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV520e G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA5 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.
Stage520e G30A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.44 s2.30 s
0–50 km/h2.58 s3.85 s
0–80 km/h5.37 s6.99 s
0–100 km/h8.07 s9.98 s
0–120 km/h11.61 s13.91 s
0–160 km/h22.82 s26.05 s
0–200 km/h52.29 s54.70 s
400 m standing start15.87 s17.30 s
1,000 m standing start29.49 s31.28 s
Top speed213 km/h216 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

520e G30

9,31kg/hpratio better by 1,99 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A5 Sedan

11,30kg/hpcompensated by −205 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 695 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 520e hits 100 km/h in 8.07 s versus 9.98 s for the A5 Sedan. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 520e leads by 1.91 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 520e is doing 113 km/h against 108 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 1.21 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520e crosses the line in 15.86 s versus 17.30 s. The 1.43 s gap represents roughly 52 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 520e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 154 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 520e finishes in 29.49 s versus 31.28 s, with a 1.79 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (213 vs 216 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 520e and the A5 Sedan are governed to 218 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.30 seconds. The 1.91 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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AudiVSBMW

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BMWVSAudi

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 520e G30 wins (8,07 s vs 9,98 s).

520e G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,07 seconds (calibrated simulation).

520e G30: 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 11,30 kg/hp.

520e G30: 213 km/h. A5 Sedan: 216 km/h.