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AM340dHybridvsBA5Diesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsM340d · A5

BMW M340d xDrive G20 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.

saloon · 2020 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

M340d xDrive G20

340 hp · 700 Nm · 1,908 kg · 2020

VS
AudiDiesel

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 400 Nm · 1,820 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M340d xDrive G20

4.57 s

Gap3.22 sin favour of M340d xDrive
BAudi A5 Sedan

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM340d xDrive G20A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h4.57 s7.79 s3.22 s · M340d xDrive G20
400 m standing start12.87 s15.74 s2.87 s · M340d xDrive G20
1,000 m standing start23.52 s28.63 s5.11 s · M340d xDrive G20
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h242 km/h8 km/h · M340d xDrive G20
Power-to-weight ratio5.61 kg/hp8.92 kg/hpbetter ratio · M340d xDrive G20

Watch the race

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

BMWHybridM340d xDrive G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA5 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.
StageM340d xDrive G20A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.02 s1.83 s
0–50 km/h1.71 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h3.22 s5.46 s
0–100 km/h4.57 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h6.25 s10.74 s
0–160 km/h10.77 s19.81 s
0–200 km/h17.38 s34.87 s
400 m standing start12.87 s15.74 s
1,000 m standing start23.52 s28.63 s
Top speed limited250 km/h242 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

M340d xDrive G20

5,61kg/hpratio better by 3,31 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque700 Nm
Weight1 908 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A5 Sedan

8,92kg/hpcompensated by −88 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 820 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M340d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.57 s versus 7.79 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the M340d xDrive leads by 3.22 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M340d xDrive is doing 140 km/h against 117 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 1.98 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M340d xDrive crosses the line in 12.86 s versus 15.74 s. The 2.87 s gap represents roughly 111 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M340d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 197 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M340d xDrive finishes in 23.52 s versus 28.62 s, with a 5.11 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The M340d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A5 Sedan’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M340d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the A5 Sedan at 242 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.61 kg/hp vs 8.92 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.41 seconds. The 3.22 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of M340d xDrive G20
BMW 330d xDriveBMW M340d xDrive
Instead of A5 Sedan
Audi A5 Sedan TDI quattro S tronic 150 kW

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A5 Sedan vs 320d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M340d xDrive G20 wins (4,57 s vs 7,79 s).

M340d xDrive G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,57 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M340d xDrive G20: 340 hp, ratio 5,61 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp.

M340d xDrive G20: 250 km/h. A5 Sedan: 242 km/h.