Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 4,83 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.
| I-PACE EV400 | S5 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,83 s | 4,50 s+0,33 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,80 s+0,39 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,36 s | 23,39 s+0,97 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 200 km/h | 250 km/h−50 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,52 kg/hp | 5,31 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 | I-PACE EV400 | S5 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,33 s | 1,11 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,22 s | 1,85 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,62 s | 3,22 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,83 s | 4,50 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,40 s | 6,11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,23 s | 10,43 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,88 s | 16,98 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,36 s | 23,39 s |
| Top speed limited | 200 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 | Pending |
| Torque | 696 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 208 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 950 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.50 s versus 4.84 s for the I-PACE EV400. Despite lacking instant torque, 367 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S5 Sedan leads by 0.33 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S5 Sedan is doing 142 km/h against 141 km/h for the I-PACE EV400. The gap is 0.30 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the S5 Sedan crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 13.18 s. The 0.38 s gap represents roughly 18 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S5 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 192 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S5 Sedan finishes in 23.38 s versus 24.36 s, with a 0.98 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the I-PACE EV400 is capped at 200 km/h, the S5 Sedan at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.
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 7.37 seconds. The 0.33 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, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 4,83 s).
I-PACE EV400 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
I-PACE EV400: 400 hp, ratio 5,52 kg/hp. S5 Sedan: 367 hp, ratio 5,31 kg/hp.
I-PACE EV400: 200 km/h. S5 Sedan: 250 km/h.