BYD Seal 313 2WD vs Audi A4 40 TDI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Seal 313 2WD hits 100 km/h in 6.00 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. The instant torque of 360 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Seal 313 2WD leads by 1.79 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Seal 313 2WD is doing 135 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 1.10 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Seal 313 2WD crosses the line in 14.21 s versus 15.77 s. The 1.56 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Seal 313 2WD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Seal 313 2WD finishes in 26.31 s versus 28.08 s, with a 1.77 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (242 km/h), the A4 40 TDI never recovers its launch deficit.

Electronically capped at 180 km/h, the Seal 313 2WD never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 11.76 seconds. The 1.79 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.