Over 0–100 km/h, 420i Convertible G22 wins (8,14 s vs 9,90 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 420i Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.14 s | 9.90 s | 1.76 s · 420i Convertible G22 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.97 s | 17.23 s | 1.26 s · 420i Convertible G22 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.97 s | 31.34 s | 2.37 s · 420i Convertible G22 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 236 km/h | 209 km/h | 27 km/h · 420i Convertible G22 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9.18 kg/hp | 11.68 kg/hp | better ratio · 420i Convertible G22 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 420i Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.81 s | 2.22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.07 s | 3.75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.69 s | 6.86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.14 s | 9.90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11.24 s | 13.90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 20.26 s | 26.77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 36.93 s | 64.77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.97 s | 17.23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.97 s | 31.34 s |
| Top speed | 236 km/h | 209 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 690 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the 420i Convertible hits 100 km/h in 8.14 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 420i Convertible leads by 1.76 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 420i Convertible is doing 115 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.86 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 420i Convertible crosses the line in 15.96 s versus 17.23 s. The 1.26 s gap represents roughly 46 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 420i Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 161 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420i Convertible finishes in 28.97 s versus 31.33 s, with a 2.37 s lead.
Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the 420i Convertible 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 (9.18 kg/hp vs 11.68 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.37 seconds. The 1.76 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, 420i Convertible G22 wins (8,14 s vs 9,90 s).
420i Convertible G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,14 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420i Convertible G22: 184 hp, ratio 9,18 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
420i Convertible G22: 236 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.