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AA3DieselvsB216iPetrol
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  • SpecsA3 · 216i

Audi A3 Sedan vs BMW 216i F22: 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 2018 · Methodology
AudiDieselFaster

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

VS
BMWPetrol

216i F22

109 hp · 190 Nm · 1,350 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi A3 Sedan

9.87 s

Gap1.58 sin favour of A3 Sedan
BBMW 216i F22

11.45 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureA3 Sedan216i F22Gap
0–100 km/h9.87 s11.45 s1.58 s · A3 Sedan
400 m standing start17.21 s18.27 s1.06 s · A3 Sedan
1,000 m standing start31.24 s33.03 s1.79 s · A3 Sedan
Top speed (electronically limited)215 km/h190 km/h25 km/h · A3 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio11.68 kg/hp12.39 kg/hpbetter ratio · A3 Sedan

Watch the race

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

AudiDieselA3 Sedan
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol216i F22
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 Sedan216i F22
0–30 km/h2.22 s2.67 s
0–50 km/h3.75 s4.47 s
0–80 km/h6.86 s8.03 s
0–100 km/h9.87 s11.45 s
0–120 km/h13.82 s16.08 s
0–160 km/h26.28 s32.43 s
0–200 km/h58.04 s-
400 m standing start17.21 s18.27 s
1,000 m standing start31.24 s33.03 s
Top speed215 km/h190 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 Sedan

11,68kg/hpratio better by 0,70 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox
BMW

216i F22

12,39kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hp3 cyl
Torque190 Nm
Weight1 350 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 9.87 s versus 11.45 s for the 216i. At this point, the A3 Sedan leads by 1.58 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 108 km/h against 103 km/h for the 216i. The gap is 0.79 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A3 Sedan crosses the line in 17.21 s versus 18.27 s. The 1.06 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the A3 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 150 km/h versus 143 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 31.24 s versus 33.03 s, with a 1.79 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 190 km/h, the 216i 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 (11.68 kg/hp vs 12.39 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Manual).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 19.01 seconds. The 1.58 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 Sedan
Audi A3 Sedan
Instead of 216i F22
BMW 216dBMW 216d SteptronicBMW 216d

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A3 Sedan vs 116d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW vs 216i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (9,87 s vs 11,45 s).

A3 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,87 seconds (calibrated simulation).

A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp. 216i F22: 109 hp, ratio 12,39 kg/hp.

A3 Sedan: 215 km/h. 216i F22: 190 km/h.