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A525dvsBA4 40Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs525d · A4 40

BMW 525d G30 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.

grand tourer · 2018 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

525d G30

231 hp · 500 Nm · 1,690 kg · 2018

VS
AudiDiesel

A4 40 TDI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,575 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 525d G30

6.74 s

Gap1.05 sin favour of 525d
BAudi A4 40 TDI

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure525d G30A4 40 TDIGap
0–100 km/h6.74 s7.79 s1.05 s · 525d G30
400 m standing start14.92 s15.77 s0.85 s · 525d G30
1,000 m standing start27.19 s28.09 s0.90 s · 525d G30
Top speed (electronically limited)243 km/h242 km/h1 km/h · 525d G30
Power-to-weight ratio7.32 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · 525d G30

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel525d G30
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.
Stage525d G30A4 40 TDI
0–30 km/h1.64 s2.16 s
0–50 km/h2.66 s3.61 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s5.84 s
0–100 km/h6.74 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h9.26 s10.28 s
0–160 km/h16.53 s17.57 s
0–200 km/h29.57 s30.63 s
400 m standing start14.92 s15.77 s
1,000 m standing start27.19 s28.09 s
Top speed243 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

525d G30

7,32kg/hpratio better by 0,97 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power231 hp4 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 690 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A4 40 TDI

8,29kg/hpcompensated by −115 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 525d hits 100 km/h in 6.74 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the 525d leads by 1.05 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 525d is doing 123 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.81 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 525d crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.85 s gap represents roughly 35 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 525d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 525d finishes in 27.19 s versus 28.08 s, with a 0.89 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (243 vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 245 km/h, the 525d 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 (7.32 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 1.05 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 525d G30
BMW 320d
Instead of A4 40 TDI
Audi A6 SedanAudi A6 Sedan

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

525d vs A6 Avant

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 320d

BMWVSAudi

525d vs A6 Avant TDI S tronic 150 kW

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 320d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 525d G30 wins (6,74 s vs 7,79 s).

525d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,74 seconds (calibrated simulation).

525d G30: 231 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp. A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

525d G30: 243 km/h. A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h.