Over 0–100 km/h, 230i F22 wins (5,51 s vs 6,21 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.
| 230i F22 | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,51 s−0,70 s | 6,21 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,88 s−0,86 s | 14,74 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,28 s−1,91 s | 27,19 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+9 km/h | 241 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,67 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,13 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 | 230i F22 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,42 s | 1,25 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,29 s | 2,15 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,99 s | 4,27 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,51 s | 6,21 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,53 s | 9,47 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 13,14 s | 17,15 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 22,07 s | 30,36 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,88 s | 14,74 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,28 s | 27,19 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 241 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 430 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 204 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 455 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 230i hits 100 km/h in 5.51 s versus 6.21 s for the A3 Sedan. The 0.70 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 230i is doing 133 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 0.33 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 230i crosses the line in 13.87 s versus 14.73 s. The 0.86 s gap represents roughly 35 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 230i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 169 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 230i finishes in 25.28 s versus 27.19 s, with a 1.91 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 241 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 230i 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 (5.67 kg/hp vs 7.13 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.24 seconds. The 0.70 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, 230i F22 wins (5,51 s vs 6,21 s).
230i F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,51 seconds (calibrated simulation).
230i F22: 252 hp, ratio 5,67 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 7,13 kg/hp.
230i F22: 250 km/h. A3 Sedan: 241 km/h.