Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,38 s vs 7,51 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.
| Q3 Sportback | 120d F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,51 s | 7,38 s+0,13 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,30 s−0,11 s | 15,41 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,28 s | 27,90 s+0,38 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 221 km/h | 231 km/h−10 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,83 kg/hp | 7,63 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Q3 Sportback | 120d F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,22 s | 1,87 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,25 s | 3,04 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,03 s | 5,29 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,51 s | 7,38 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,43 s | 9,97 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,35 s | 17,66 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 38,40 s | 32,84 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,30 s | 15,41 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,28 s | 27,90 s |
| Top speed | 221 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 | 193 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 705 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.38 s versus 7.51 s for the Q3 Sportback. Despite the faster sprint time, the Q3 Sportback is 13 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Q3 Sportback is doing 116 km/h against 121 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 0.34 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Q3 Sportback crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Q3 Sportback maxes out at 221 km/h while the 120d keeps accelerating towards 231 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.07 s.
Around 521 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 120d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 10 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 28.27 s. The 0.38 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q3 Sportback is capped at 221 km/h, the 120d at 231 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (8.83 kg/hp vs 7.63 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.25 seconds. The 0.13 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,38 s vs 7,51 s).
Q3 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,51 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Q3 Sportback: 193 hp, ratio 8,83 kg/hp. 120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp.
Q3 Sportback: 221 km/h. 120d F40: 231 km/h.