Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,29 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 | S4 TDI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.29 s | 4.83 s | 0.46 s · S4 TDI |
| 400 m standing start | 13.55 s | 13.12 s | 0.43 s · S4 TDI |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.54 s | 23.86 s | 0.68 s · S4 TDI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h | 250 km/h | 10 km/h · S4 TDI |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.59 kg/hp | 5.10 kg/hp | better ratio · S4 TDI |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 | S4 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.36 s | 1.27 s · tight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.05 s · tight gap | 2.06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.73 s | 3.50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.29 s | 4.83 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7.11 s | 6.50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12.14 s | 11.04 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19.52 s | 17.95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.55 s | 13.12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.54 s | 23.86 s |
| Top speed limited | 240 km/h | 250 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 130 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 354 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 805 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the S4 TDI hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.29 s for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. Despite lacking instant torque, 354 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S4 TDI leads by 0.46 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S4 TDI is doing 140 km/h against 135 km/h for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. The gap is 0.28 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S4 TDI crosses the line in 13.12 s versus 13.55 s. The 0.43 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S4 TDI continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 195 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S4 TDI finishes in 23.86 s versus 24.53 s, with a 0.68 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is capped at 240 km/h, the S4 TDI 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 8.28 seconds. The 0.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,29 s).
C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,29 seconds (calibrated simulation).
C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp. S4 TDI: 354 hp, ratio 5,10 kg/hp.
C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 240 km/h. S4 TDI: 250 km/h.