Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW vs BMW 420d F32: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 420d hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 7.22 s for the A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 420d leads by 0.18 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 420d is doing 119 km/h against 124 km/h for the A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW. The gap is 0.52 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 420d crosses the line in 15.10 s versus 15.38 s. The 0.28 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW maxes out at 225 km/h while the 420d keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.05 s.

Around 644 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 15 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW finishes in 27.44 s versus 27.77 s. The 0.34 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW is capped at 225 km/h, the 420d at 240 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

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 11.60 seconds. The 0.18 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.