BMW X3 M40d G01 vs Audi Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw X3 M40d hits 100 km/h in 4.87 s versus 6.77 s for the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW. Despite lacking instant torque, 326 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Bmw X3 M40d leads by 1.90 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Bmw X3 M40d is doing 138 km/h against 125 km/h for the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW. The gap is 1.29 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw X3 M40d crosses the line in 13.21 s versus 14.98 s. The 1.77 s gap represents roughly 74 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Bmw X3 M40d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw X3 M40d finishes in 24.24 s versus 27.43 s, with a 3.19 s lead.

The Bmw X3 M40d features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW’s RWD. 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 Bmw X3 M40d is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW at 180 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 10.55 seconds. The 1.90 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.