Over 0–100 km/h, RS 3 Sportback wins (3,88 s vs 8,56 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.
| RS 3 Sportback | 118i F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,88 s−4,69 s | 8,56 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,08 s−4,28 s | 16,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,05 s−7,70 s | 29,75 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+40 km/h | 210 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,91 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,56 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 | RS 3 Sportback | 118i F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,04 s | 1,92 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,74 s | 3,28 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,85 s | 6,12 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,88 s | 8,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,07 s | 12,16 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,84 s | 22,21 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13,81 s | 47,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,08 s | 16,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,05 s | 29,75 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 210 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 565 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 300 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic) |
Off the line, the RS 3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 3.88 s versus 8.56 s for the Bmw 118i. At this point, the RS 3 Sportback leads by 4.69 s and sits roughly 26 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the RS 3 Sportback is doing 150 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 118i. The gap is 2.84 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the RS 3 Sportback crosses the line in 12.08 s versus 16.36 s. The 4.28 s gap represents roughly 155 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the RS 3 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 211 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 3 Sportback finishes in 22.04 s versus 29.74 s, with a 7.70 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the RS 3 Sportback is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 118i at 210 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 (3.91 kg/hp vs 9.56 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.05 seconds. The 4.69 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, RS 3 Sportback wins (3,88 s vs 8,56 s).
RS 3 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,88 seconds (calibrated simulation).
RS 3 Sportback: 400 hp, ratio 3,91 kg/hp. 118i F20LCI: 136 hp, ratio 9,56 kg/hp.
RS 3 Sportback: 250 km/h. 118i F20LCI: 210 km/h.