Over 0–100 km/h, Explorer EcoBoost 300 wins (6,71 s vs 7,34 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.
| Explorer EcoBoost 300 | Q5 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,71 s−0,63 s | 7,34 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,93 s−0,36 s | 15,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,10 s−1,47 s | 28,57 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 220 km/h | 226 km/h−6 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,70 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,66 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 | Explorer EcoBoost 300 | Q5 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,82 s | 1,16 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,96 s | 4,82 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,71 s | 7,34 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,99 s | 10,56 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15,83 s | 20,86 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,71 s | 40,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,93 s | 15,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,10 s | 28,57 s |
| Top speed | 220 km/h | 226 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 305 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 043 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 10-speed torque-converter automatic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 204 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 970 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 hits 100 km/h in 6.71 s versus 7.34 s for the Q5 Sportback. Despite the faster sprint time, the Q5 Sportback is 11 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Q5 Sportback is doing 115 km/h against 127 km/h for the Explorer EcoBoost 300. The gap is 0.13 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.28 s. The 0.36 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 173 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 finishes in 27.09 s versus 28.56 s, with a 1.47 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (220 vs 226 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Explorer EcoBoost 300 is capped at 220 km/h, the Q5 Sportback at 226 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.70 kg/hp vs 9.66 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.41 seconds. The 0.63 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, Explorer EcoBoost 300 wins (6,71 s vs 7,34 s).
Explorer EcoBoost 300 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,71 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Explorer EcoBoost 300: 305 hp, ratio 6,70 kg/hp. Q5 Sportback: 204 hp, ratio 9,66 kg/hp.
Explorer EcoBoost 300: 220 km/h. Q5 Sportback: 226 km/h.