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AA3PetrolvsB116dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsA3 · 116d

Audi A3 allstreet vs BMW 116d F40: 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.

compact · 2026 vs 2019 · Methodology
AudiPetrolFaster

A3 allstreet

150 hp · 250 Nm · 1,320 kg · 2026

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi A3 allstreet

8.67 s

Gap1.71 sin favour of A3 allstreet
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureA3 allstreet116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h8.67 s10.38 s1.71 s · A3 allstreet
400 m standing start16.46 s17.63 s1.17 s · A3 allstreet
1,000 m standing start29.43 s31.80 s2.37 s · A3 allstreet
Top speed (electronically limited)223 km/h200 km/h23 km/h · A3 allstreet
Power-to-weight ratio8.80 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · A3 allstreet

Watch the race

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

AudiPetrolA3 allstreet
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel116d F40
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.
StageA3 allstreet116d F40
0–30 km/h2.34 s2.54 s
0–50 km/h3.90 s4.17 s
0–80 km/h6.33 s7.33 s
0–100 km/h8.67 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h11.58 s14.41 s
0–160 km/h20.45 s27.61 s
0–200 km/h39.86 s74.22 s
400 m standing start16.46 s17.63 s
1,000 m standing start29.43 s31.80 s
Top speed223 km/h200 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.

Audi

A3 allstreet

8,80kg/hpratio better by 3,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 320 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hpcompensated by −55 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the A3 allstreet hits 100 km/h in 8.67 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. At this point, the A3 allstreet leads by 1.71 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the A3 allstreet is doing 116 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 0.67 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A3 allstreet crosses the line in 16.46 s versus 17.62 s. The 1.17 s gap represents roughly 42 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the A3 allstreet continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 162 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 allstreet finishes in 29.42 s versus 31.80 s, with a 2.38 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 200 km/h, the 116d 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (8.80 kg/hp vs 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.91 seconds. The 1.71 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of A3 allstreet
Audi A3 Sportback
Instead of 116d F40
BMW 118iBMW 116iBMW 116

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

218i Coupé vs A3 allstreet

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 118i

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, A3 allstreet wins (8,67 s vs 10,38 s).

A3 allstreet goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,67 seconds (calibrated simulation).

A3 allstreet: 150 hp, ratio 8,80 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

A3 allstreet: 223 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.