Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 5,15 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.
| X5 M50d F15 | S3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s | 4,64 s+0,51 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s | 13,09 s+0,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s | 23,72 s+0,89 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,69 kg/hp | 4,61 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 | X5 M50d F15 | S3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,33 s | 1,23 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 2,05 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,71 s | 3,41 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s | 4,64 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,95 s | 6,63 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,03 s | 10,91 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,34 s | 17,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s | 13,09 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s | 23,72 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 | 400 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 760 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 275 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 535 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 5.15 s for the Bmw X5 M50d. At this point, the S3 Sportback leads by 0.51 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S3 Sportback is doing 139 km/h against 136 km/h for the Bmw X5 M50d. The gap is 0.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S3 Sportback crosses the line in 13.08 s versus 13.47 s. The 0.39 s gap represents roughly 18 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S3 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 197 km/h versus 189 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sportback finishes in 23.72 s versus 24.60 s, with a 0.88 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 X5 M50d and the S3 Sportback 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 (5.69 kg/hp vs 4.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.07 seconds. The 0.51 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 5,15 s).
X5 M50d F15 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).
X5 M50d F15: 400 hp, ratio 5,69 kg/hp. S3 Sportback: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.
X5 M50d F15: 250 km/h. S3 Sportback: 250 km/h.