Over 0–100 km/h, M3 Competition xDrive G80 wins (3,52 s vs 4,53 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.
| M3 Competition xDrive G80 | S5 Avant | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,52 s−1,00 s | 4,53 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,45 s−1,39 s | 12,84 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,83 s−2,66 s | 23,49 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,43 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,35 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | M3 Competition xDrive G80 | S5 Avant |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,96 s | 1,11 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,59 s | 1,85 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,59 s | 3,23 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,52 s | 4,53 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,56 s | 6,15 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,41 s | 10,55 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 11,48 s | 17,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,45 s | 12,84 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,83 s | 23,49 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 | 510 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 750 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed M Steptronic with Drivelogic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 965 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the M3 Competition xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.52 s versus 4.53 s for the S5 Avant. At this point, the M3 Competition xDrive leads by 1.00 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive is doing 161 km/h against 142 km/h for the S5 Avant. The gap is 0.84 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the M3 Competition xDrive crosses the line in 11.45 s versus 12.83 s. The 1.39 s gap represents roughly 66 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 224 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive finishes in 20.83 s versus 23.49 s, with a 2.66 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 M3 Competition xDrive and the S5 Avant 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 (3.43 kg/hp vs 5.35 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.09 seconds. The 1.00 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, M3 Competition xDrive G80 wins (3,52 s vs 4,53 s).
M3 Competition xDrive G80 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,52 seconds (calibrated simulation).
M3 Competition xDrive G80: 510 hp, ratio 3,43 kg/hp. S5 Avant: 367 hp, ratio 5,35 kg/hp.
M3 Competition xDrive G80: 250 km/h. S5 Avant: 250 km/h.