Over 0–100 km/h, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,13 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
4.83 s
| Measure | S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 | S4 TDI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.13 s | 4.83 s | 0.29 s · S4 TDI |
| 400 m standing start | 13.34 s | 13.12 s | 0.22 s · S4 TDI |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.11 s | 23.86 s | 0.25 s · S4 TDI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h | Same |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6.14 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 | S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 | S4 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.05 s | 1.27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1.85 s | 2.06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.53 s | 3.50 s · tight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.13 s | 4.83 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6.98 s | 6.50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11.91 s | 11.04 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18.40 s | 17.95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.34 s | 13.12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.11 s | 23.86 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 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 | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 750 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 255 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 5.13 s for the S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version. Despite the faster sprint time, the S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the S4 TDI is doing 140 km/h against 135 km/h for the S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version. The gap is 0.08 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S4 TDI crosses the line in 13.12 s versus 13.33 s. The 0.21 s gap represents roughly 10 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 194 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S4 TDI finishes in 23.86 s versus 24.11 s, with a 0.25 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version and the S4 TDI are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.14 kg/hp vs 5.10 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.01 seconds. The 0.29 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, S4 TDI wins (4,83 s vs 5,13 s).
S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 367 hp, ratio 6,14 kg/hp. S4 TDI: 354 hp, ratio 5,10 kg/hp.
S 450 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 250 km/h. S4 TDI: 250 km/h.