Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (6,21 s vs 7,36 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 | 520d G60 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,21 s−1,15 s | 7,36 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,74 s−0,68 s | 15,42 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,19 s−0,94 s | 28,13 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 241 km/h+8 km/h | 233 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,13 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,01 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 | 520d G60 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,25 s | 1,67 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 2,76 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,27 s | 5,11 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,21 s | 7,36 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,47 s | 10,31 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,15 s | 18,51 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,36 s | 34,13 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,74 s | 15,42 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,19 s | 28,13 s |
| Top speed | 241 km/h | 233 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| 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 |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 197 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 775 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 6.21 s versus 7.36 s for the 520d. At this point, the A3 Sedan leads by 1.15 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 119 km/h against 118 km/h for the 520d. The gap is 0.65 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A3 Sedan crosses the line in 14.73 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.68 s gap represents roughly 28 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the A3 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 169 km/h versus 165 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 27.19 s versus 28.13 s, with a 0.94 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (241 vs 233 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The A3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 520d’s RWD. 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 233 km/h, the 520d 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 (7.13 kg/hp vs 9.01 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.98 seconds. The 1.15 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 (6,21 s vs 7,36 s).
A3 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,21 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A3 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 7,13 kg/hp. 520d G60: 197 hp, ratio 9,01 kg/hp.
A3 Sedan: 241 km/h. 520d G60: 233 km/h.