Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,30 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 740i G11 | S4 TDI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,30 s | 4,83 s+0,47 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,53 s | 13,12 s+0,41 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,47 s | 23,86 s+0,61 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,49 kg/hp | 5,10 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 740i G11 | S4 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,33 s | 1,27 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,23 s | 2,06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,81 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,30 s | 4,83 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,08 s | 6,50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,95 s | 11,04 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,31 s | 17,95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,53 s | 13,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,47 s | 23,86 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 540 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 090 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 354 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 805 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the S4 TDI hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.31 s for the Bmw 740i. At this point, the S4 TDI leads by 0.47 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S4 TDI is doing 140 km/h against 137 km/h for the Bmw 740i. The gap is 0.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S4 TDI crosses the line in 13.12 s versus 13.53 s. The 0.41 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S4 TDI continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 195 km/h versus 192 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S4 TDI finishes in 23.86 s versus 24.47 s, with a 0.61 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw 740i and the S4 TDI 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 (5.49 kg/hp vs 5.10 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.13 seconds. The 0.47 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, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,30 s).
740i G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,30 seconds (calibrated simulation).
740i G11: 381 hp, ratio 5,49 kg/hp. S4 TDI: 354 hp, ratio 5,10 kg/hp.
740i G11: 250 km/h. S4 TDI: 250 km/h.