Over 0–100 km/h, 530i G30 wins (6,12 s vs 7,79 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 530i G30 | A4 40 TDI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6.12 s | 7.79 s | 1.67 s · 530i G30 |
| 400 m standing start | 14.27 s | 15.77 s | 1.50 s · 530i G30 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25.73 s | 28.09 s | 2.36 s · 530i G30 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 242 km/h | 8 km/h · 530i G30 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6.11 kg/hp | 8.29 kg/hp | better ratio · 530i G30 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 530i G30 | A4 40 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.54 s | 2.16 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.57 s | 3.61 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.39 s | 5.84 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.12 s | 7.79 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8.14 s | 10.28 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 13.77 s | 17.57 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 22.78 s | 30.63 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14.27 s | 15.77 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25.73 s | 28.09 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 242 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 540 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 575 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the 530i hits 100 km/h in 6.12 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the 530i leads by 1.67 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 530i is doing 130 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 1.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 530i crosses the line in 14.27 s versus 15.77 s. The 1.50 s gap represents roughly 62 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 530i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 183 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 530i finishes in 25.73 s versus 28.08 s, with a 2.36 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 530i 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 (6.11 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 1.67 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 530i G30 wins (6,12 s vs 7,79 s).
530i G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,12 seconds (calibrated simulation).
530i G30: 252 hp, ratio 6,11 kg/hp. A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
530i G30: 250 km/h. A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h.