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A530dDieselvsBA5Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs530d · A5

BMW 530d 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 · 2018 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

530d G30

265 hp · 620 Nm · 1,640 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 340 Nm · 1,695 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 530d G30

5.79 s

Gap1.93 sin favour of 530d
BAudi A5 Sedan

7.72 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure530d G30A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h5.79 s7.72 s1.93 s · 530d G30
400 m standing start14.08 s15.71 s1.63 s · 530d G30
1,000 m standing start25.58 s28.00 s2.42 s · 530d G30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h247 km/h3 km/h · 530d G30
Power-to-weight ratio6.19 kg/hp8.31 kg/hpbetter ratio · 530d G30

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel530d 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.
Stage530d G30A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.50 s2.12 s
0–50 km/h2.40 s3.54 s
0–80 km/h4.15 s5.76 s
0–100 km/h5.79 s7.72 s
0–120 km/h7.86 s10.24 s
0–160 km/h13.62 s17.44 s
0–200 km/h22.85 s30.10 s
400 m standing start14.08 s15.71 s
1,000 m standing start25.58 s28.00 s
Top speed limited250 km/h247 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

530d G30

6,19kg/hpratio better by 2,12 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp6 cyl
Torque620 Nm
Weight1 640 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A5 Sedan

8,31kg/hpcompensated by −55 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque340 Nm
Weight1 695 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 530d hits 100 km/h in 5.79 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the 530d leads by 1.93 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 530d is doing 131 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 1.28 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 530d crosses the line in 14.08 s versus 15.71 s. The 1.63 s gap represents roughly 67 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 530d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 183 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 530d finishes in 25.58 s versus 27.99 s, with a 2.42 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 247 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 530d and the A5 Sedan are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.19 kg/hp vs 8.31 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 1.93 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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A5 Sedan vs 320i

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A6 Avant TDI quattro S tronic 220 kW vs 530d

AudiVSBMW

A5 Sedan vs 320i Sedan

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 530d G30 wins (5,79 s vs 7,72 s).

530d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,79 seconds (calibrated simulation).

530d G30: 265 hp, ratio 6,19 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,31 kg/hp.

530d G30: 250 km/h. A5 Sedan: 247 km/h.