Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (6,21 s vs 7,75 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 | 520i G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,21 s−1,54 s | 7,75 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,74 s−0,92 s | 15,66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,19 s−1,49 s | 28,68 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 241 km/h+10 km/h | 231 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,13 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,37 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 | 520i G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,25 s | 1,56 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 2,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,27 s | 5,34 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,21 s | 7,75 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,47 s | 10,84 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,15 s | 19,96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,36 s | 37,89 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,74 s | 15,66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,19 s | 28,68 s |
| Top speed | 241 km/h | 231 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 290 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 540 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 6.21 s versus 7.75 s for the 520i. At this point, the A3 Sedan leads by 1.54 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 119 km/h against 116 km/h for the 520i. The gap is 0.77 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A3 Sedan crosses the line in 14.73 s versus 15.66 s. The 0.92 s gap represents roughly 36 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 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 27.19 s versus 28.68 s, with a 1.49 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (241 vs 231 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The A3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 520i’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 235 km/h, the 520i 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 8.37 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.70 seconds. The 1.54 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 7,75 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. 520i G30: 184 hp, ratio 8,37 kg/hp.
A3 Sedan: 241 km/h. 520i G30: 231 km/h.