Over 0–100 km/h, S90 B5 AWD wins (6,58 s vs 8,22 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.
| S90 B5 AWD | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,58 s−1,64 s | 8,22 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,76 s−1,34 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,11 s−1,51 s | 28,62 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 180 km/h | 240 km/h−60 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,18 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,60 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 | S90 B5 AWD | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,70 s | 2,27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,57 s | 3,78 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,64 s | 6,06 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,58 s | 8,22 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,89 s | 10,86 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15,63 s | 18,59 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 32,84 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,76 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,11 s | 28,62 s |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 240 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 250 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 795 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Geartronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the S90 B5 AWD hits 100 km/h in 6.58 s versus 8.22 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the S90 B5 AWD leads by 1.64 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S90 B5 AWD is doing 125 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.10 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S90 B5 AWD crosses the line in 14.75 s versus 16.09 s. The 1.34 s gap represents roughly 54 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S90 B5 AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S90 B5 AWD finishes in 27.11 s versus 28.62 s, with a 1.51 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (240 km/h), the A3 Sedan never recovers its launch deficit.
The S90 B5 AWD features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sedan’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 180 km/h, the S90 B5 AWD 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 (7.18 kg/hp vs 8.60 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.45 seconds. The 1.64 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, S90 B5 AWD wins (6,58 s vs 8,22 s).
S90 B5 AWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,58 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S90 B5 AWD: 250 hp, ratio 7,18 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 8,60 kg/hp.
S90 B5 AWD: 180 km/h. A3 Sedan: 240 km/h.