Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sportback wins (9,90 s vs 10,17 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 Sportback | 116d F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 9,90 s−0,27 s | 10,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 17,23 s−0,16 s | 17,39 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31,34 s−0,35 s | 31,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 209 km/h+9 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 11,68 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,85 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 Sportback | 116d F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,22 s | 2,27 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,75 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,86 s | 7,01 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 9,90 s | 10,17 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 13,90 s | 14,33 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 26,77 s | 28,15 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 64,77 s | 83,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 17,23 s | 17,39 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31,34 s | 31,69 s |
| Top speed | 209 km/h | 200 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual |
Off the line, the A3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 9.90 s versus 10.17 s for the Bmw 116d. At this point, the A3 Sportback leads by 0.27 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the A3 Sportback is doing 108 km/h against 106 km/h for the Bmw 116d. The gap is 0.09 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A3 Sportback crosses the line in 17.23 s versus 17.39 s. The 0.16 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the A3 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 149 km/h versus 147 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sportback finishes in 31.33 s versus 31.69 s, with a 0.35 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (209 vs 200 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 200 km/h, the Bmw 116d 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 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.95 seconds. The 0.27 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 Sportback wins (9,90 s vs 10,17 s).
A3 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,90 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.
A3 Sportback: 209 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.