Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (6,21 s vs 8,07 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | A3 Sedan | 520e G30 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6.21 s | 8.07 s | 1.86 s · A3 Sedan |
| 400 m standing start | 14.74 s | 15.87 s | 1.13 s · A3 Sedan |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.19 s | 29.49 s | 2.30 s · A3 Sedan |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 241 km/h | 213 km/h | 28 km/h · A3 Sedan |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.13 kg/hp | 9.31 kg/hp | better ratio · A3 Sedan |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | A3 Sedan | 520e G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.25 s | 1.44 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.15 s | 2.58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.27 s | 5.37 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.21 s | 8.07 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.47 s | 11.61 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17.15 s | 22.82 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30.36 s | 52.29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14.74 s | 15.87 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.19 s | 29.49 s |
| Top speed | 241 km/h | 213 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 204 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 6.21 s versus 8.07 s for the 520e. Despite lacking instant torque, 204 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A3 Sedan leads by 1.86 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 119 km/h against 113 km/h for the 520e. 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 14.73 s versus 15.86 s. The 1.13 s gap represents roughly 43 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 169 km/h versus 154 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 27.19 s versus 29.49 s, with a 2.30 s lead.
The A3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 520e’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 218 km/h, the 520e 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.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.80 seconds. The 1.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (6,21 s vs 8,07 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. 520e G30: 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp.
A3 Sedan: 241 km/h. 520e G30: 213 km/h.