Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TFSI wins (7,28 s vs 8,36 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.
| DS9 E-Tense 250 | A4 40 TFSI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,36 s | 7,28 s+1,08 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,22 s | 15,36 s+0,86 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,57 s | 28,08 s+0,49 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 235 km/h+3 km/h | 232 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,51 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,97 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 | DS9 E-Tense 250 | A4 40 TFSI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,40 s | 1,67 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 4,01 s | 2,79 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,47 s | 5,10 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,36 s | 7,28 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,88 s | 10,10 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,12 s | 18,44 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 31,70 s | 34,86 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,22 s | 15,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,57 s | 28,08 s |
| Top speed | 235 km/h | 232 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 253 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 520 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the A4 40 TFSI hits 100 km/h in 7.28 s versus 8.36 s for the DS9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A4 40 TFSI leads by 1.08 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the A4 40 TFSI is doing 119 km/h against 121 km/h for the DS9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.97 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A4 40 TFSI crosses the line in 15.36 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.86 s gap represents roughly 36 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.
At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TFSI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.57 s, with just 0.49 s to spare. The DS9 E-Tense 250 fails to fully close the launch gap.
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 12.32 seconds. The 1.08 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, A4 40 TFSI wins (7,28 s vs 8,36 s).
DS9 E-Tense 250 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).
DS9 E-Tense 250: 253 hp, ratio 7,51 kg/hp. A4 40 TFSI: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp.
DS9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. A4 40 TFSI: 232 km/h.