Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (8,22 s vs 10,43 s).
Performance comparison
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.
| A3 Sedan | 116i F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,22 s−2,21 s | 10,43 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,10 s−1,26 s | 17,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,62 s−3,51 s | 32,13 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+40 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,60 kg/hpbetter ratio | 12,11 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 | A3 Sedan | 116i F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,27 s | 1,86 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,78 s | 3,30 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,06 s | 6,88 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,22 s | 10,43 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,86 s | 15,20 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,59 s | 31,28 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 32,84 s | 124,87 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,10 s | 17,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,62 s | 32,13 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 200 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 109 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 190 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 320 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission) |
Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 8.22 s versus 10.43 s for the 116i. The 2.21 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 119 km/h against 104 km/h for the 116i. The gap is 0.40 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A3 Sedan crosses the line in 16.09 s versus 17.36 s. The 1.27 s gap represents roughly 44 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the A3 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 168 km/h versus 142 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 28.62 s versus 32.13 s, with a 3.51 s lead.
Electronically capped at 200 km/h, the 116i 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 (8.60 kg/hp vs 12.11 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 18.20 seconds. The 2.21 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, A3 Sedan wins (8,22 s vs 10,43 s).
A3 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,22 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A3 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 8,60 kg/hp. 116i F40: 109 hp, ratio 12,11 kg/hp.
A3 Sedan: 240 km/h. 116i F40: 200 km/h.