Over 0–100 km/h, iX xDrive40 wins (6,04 s vs 6,93 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | iX xDrive40 | Q8 SUV | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6.04 s | 6.93 s | 0.89 s · iX xDrive40 |
| 400 m standing start | 14.37 s | 15.04 s | 0.67 s · iX xDrive40 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26.37 s | 27.78 s | 1.41 s · iX xDrive40 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 200 km/h | 226 km/h | 26 km/h · Q8 SUV |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.48 kg/hp | 9.35 kg/hp | better ratio · iX xDrive40 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | iX xDrive40 | Q8 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.42 s | 1.31 s · tight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.37 s | 2.33 s · tight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.25 s | 4.69 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.04 s | 6.93 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8.34 s | 9.81 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15.21 s | 18.24 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 26.44 s | 34.32 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14.37 s | 15.04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26.37 s | 27.78 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 226 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 | 326 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 630 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 440 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed reduction gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 231 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 160 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the iX xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.04 s versus 6.93 s for the Q8 SUV. The instant torque of 630 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the iX xDrive40 leads by 0.89 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the iX xDrive40 is doing 127 km/h against 119 km/h for the Q8 SUV. The gap is 0.35 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the iX xDrive40 crosses the line in 14.36 s versus 15.03 s. The 0.67 s gap represents roughly 27 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the iX xDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 165 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the iX xDrive40 finishes in 26.37 s versus 27.77 s, with a 1.41 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (226 km/h), the Q8 SUV never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the iX xDrive40 is capped at 200 km/h, the Q8 SUV at 226 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 11.52 seconds. The 0.89 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, iX xDrive40 wins (6,04 s vs 6,93 s).
iX xDrive40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).
iX xDrive40: 326 hp, ratio 7,48 kg/hp. Q8 SUV: 231 hp, ratio 9,35 kg/hp.
iX xDrive40: 200 km/h. Q8 SUV: 226 km/h.