Over 0–100 km/h, 540i xDrive G30 wins (4,96 s vs 8,38 s).
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.
| 540i xDrive G30 | A3 allstreet | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,96 s−3,42 s | 8,38 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,16 s−2,94 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,73 s−5,59 s | 29,32 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+27 km/h | 223 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,24 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,57 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 540i xDrive G30 | A3 allstreet |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,32 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,20 s | 3,13 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,67 s | 5,74 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,96 s | 8,38 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,55 s | 11,52 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,86 s | 21,15 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,30 s | 42,26 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,16 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,73 s | 29,32 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 223 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 745 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 360 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 435 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the 540i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.96 s versus 8.38 s for the A3 allstreet. At this point, the 540i xDrive leads by 3.42 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 540i xDrive is doing 141 km/h against 114 km/h for the A3 allstreet. The gap is 1.86 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 540i xDrive crosses the line in 13.16 s versus 16.10 s. The 2.94 s gap represents roughly 111 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 540i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 159 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 540i xDrive finishes in 23.73 s versus 29.31 s, with a 5.59 s lead.
The 540i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 allstreet’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 540i xDrive 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 (5.24 kg/hp vs 9.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.44 seconds. The 3.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 540i xDrive G30 wins (4,96 s vs 8,38 s).
540i xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,96 seconds (calibrated simulation).
540i xDrive G30: 333 hp, ratio 5,24 kg/hp. A3 allstreet: 150 hp, ratio 9,57 kg/hp.
540i xDrive G30: 250 km/h. A3 allstreet: 223 km/h.