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A530ePHEVvsBA5Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs530e · A5

BMW 530e iPerformance 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
BMWPHEVFaster

530e iPerformance G30

252 hp · 290 Nm · 1,770 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

A5 Sedan

150 hp · 280 Nm · 1,695 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 530e iPerformance G30

6.28 s

Gap3.70 sin favour of 530e iPerformance
BAudi A5 Sedan

9.98 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure530e iPerformance G30A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h6.28 s9.98 s3.70 s · 530e iPerformance G30
400 m standing start14.40 s17.30 s2.90 s · 530e iPerformance G30
1,000 m standing start26.31 s31.28 s4.97 s · 530e iPerformance G30
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h216 km/h19 km/h · 530e iPerformance G30
Power-to-weight ratio7.02 kg/hp11.30 kg/hpbetter ratio · 530e iPerformance G30

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV530e iPerformance 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.
Stage530e iPerformance G30A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.41 s2.30 s
0–50 km/h2.35 s3.85 s
0–80 km/h4.29 s6.99 s
0–100 km/h6.28 s9.98 s
0–120 km/h8.42 s13.91 s
0–160 km/h14.95 s26.05 s
0–200 km/h26.50 s54.70 s
400 m standing start14.40 s17.30 s
1,000 m standing start26.31 s31.28 s
Top speed235 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

530e iPerformance G30

7,02kg/hpratio better by 4,28 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hp4 cyl
Torque290 Nm
Weight1 770 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A5 Sedan

11,30kg/hpcompensated by −75 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 530e iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 6.28 s versus 9.98 s for the A5 Sedan. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 530e iPerformance leads by 3.70 s and sits roughly 32 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 530e iPerformance is doing 127 km/h against 108 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 2.00 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 530e iPerformance crosses the line in 14.39 s versus 17.30 s. The 2.90 s gap represents roughly 103 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 530e iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 530e iPerformance finishes in 26.31 s versus 31.28 s, with a 4.97 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 530e iPerformance is capped at 235 km/h, the A5 Sedan at 216 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.

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 3.70 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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318i Sedan vs A5 Sedan

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 530e iPerformance G30 wins (6,28 s vs 9,98 s).

530e iPerformance G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,28 seconds (calibrated simulation).

530e iPerformance G30: 252 hp, ratio 7,02 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 11,30 kg/hp.

530e iPerformance G30: 235 km/h. A5 Sedan: 216 km/h.