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AA3PHEVvsB120dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsA3 · 120d

Audi A3 allstreet vs BMW 120d F20LCI: 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 · 2025 vs 2018 · Methodology
AudiPHEV

A3 allstreet

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,610 kg · 2025

VS
BMWDieselFaster

120d F20LCI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,415 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi A3 allstreet

7.44 s

Gap0.29 sin favour of 120d
BBMW 120d F20LCI

7.15 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureA3 allstreet120d F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h7.44 s7.15 s0.29 s · 120d F20LCI
400 m standing start15.61 s15.30 s0.31 s · 120d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start28.14 s27.54 s0.60 s · 120d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)230 km/h228 km/h2 km/h · A3 allstreet
Power-to-weight ratio7.89 kg/hp7.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

AudiPHEVA3 allstreet
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel120d F20LCI
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 allstreet120d F20LCI
0–30 km/h1.98 s · tight gap2.05 s
0–50 km/h3.30 s3.27 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h5.46 s5.29 s
0–100 km/h7.44 s7.15 s
0–120 km/h10.30 s9.55 s
0–160 km/h18.02 s16.63 s
0–200 km/h33.29 s30.38 s
400 m standing start15.61 s15.30 s
1,000 m standing start28.14 s27.54 s
Top speed230 km/h228 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

7,89kg/hpcompensated by −195 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 610 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed S tronic
BMW

120d F20LCI

7,45kg/hpratio better by 0,44 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 415 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.15 s versus 7.44 s for the A3 allstreet. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 120d leads by 0.29 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 124 km/h against 120 km/h for the A3 allstreet. The gap is 0.13 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.53 s versus 28.13 s, with a 0.60 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (230 vs 228 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 228 km/h, the 120d 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.

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 11.95 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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123 xDrive vs A3 allstreet

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225xe vs A3 allstreet

BMWVSAudi

120d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F20LCI wins (7,15 s vs 7,44 s).

A3 allstreet goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).

A3 allstreet: 204 hp, ratio 7,89 kg/hp. 120d F20LCI: 190 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp.

A3 allstreet: 230 km/h. 120d F20LCI: 228 km/h.