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A9PHEVvsBA5Diesel
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  • Specs9 · A5

DS9 E-Tense 250 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.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2026 · Methodology
DSPHEV

9 E-Tense 250

253 hp · 520 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
AudiDieselFaster

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 400 Nm · 1,820 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS9 E-Tense 250

8.36 s

Gap0.57 sin favour of A5 Sedan
BAudi A5 Sedan

7.79 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure9 E-Tense 250A5 SedanGap
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.79 s0.57 s · A5 Sedan
400 m standing start16.22 s15.74 s0.48 s · A5 Sedan
1,000 m standing start28.57 s28.63 s0.06 s · 9 E-Tense 250
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h242 km/h7 km/h · A5 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio7.51 kg/hp8.92 kg/hpbetter ratio · 9 E-Tense 250

Watch the race

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

DSPHEV9 E-Tense 250
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.
Stage9 E-Tense 250A5 Sedan
0–30 km/h2.40 s1.83 s
0–50 km/h4.01 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h6.47 s5.46 s
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.79 s
0–120 km/h10.88 s10.74 s · tight gap
0–160 km/h18.12 s19.81 s
0–200 km/h31.70 s34.87 s
400 m standing start16.22 s15.74 s
1,000 m standing start28.57 s · tight gap28.63 s
Top speed235 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.

DS

9 E-Tense 250

7,51kg/hpratio better by 1,41 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power253 hpPending
Torque520 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
Audi

A5 Sedan

8,92kg/hpcompensated by −80 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 A5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 7.79 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 204 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A5 Sedan leads by 0.57 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the A5 Sedan is doing 117 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.68 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the A5 Sedan crosses the line in 15.74 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.48 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 9 E-Tense 250 maxes out at 235 km/h while the A5 Sedan keeps accelerating towards 242 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.26 s.

Around 909 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 9 E-Tense 250 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 7 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 28.62 s. The 0.06 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 242 km/h, the A5 Sedan 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 12.41 seconds. The 0.57 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, A5 Sedan wins (7,79 s vs 8,36 s).

9 E-Tense 250 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).

9 E-Tense 250: 253 hp, ratio 7,51 kg/hp. A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp.

9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. A5 Sedan: 242 km/h.