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ARS 3PetrolvsB320ePHEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsRS 3 · 320e

Audi RS 3 Sportback vs BMW 320e G20: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2026 vs 2021 · Methodology
AudiPetrolFaster

RS 3 Sportback

400 hp · 500 Nm · 1,565 kg · 2026

VS
BMWPHEV

320e G20

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,765 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi RS 3 Sportback

3.88 s

Gap3.58 sin favour of RS 3 Sportback
BBMW 320e G20

7.46 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureRS 3 Sportback320e G20Gap
0–100 km/h3.88 s7.46 s3.58 s · RS 3 Sportback
400 m standing start12.08 s15.44 s3.36 s · RS 3 Sportback
1,000 m standing start22.05 s28.77 s6.72 s · RS 3 Sportback
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h215 km/h35 km/h · RS 3 Sportback
Power-to-weight ratio3.91 kg/hp8.65 kg/hpbetter ratio · RS 3 Sportback

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

AudiPetrolRS 3 Sportback
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPHEV320e G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageRS 3 Sportback320e G20
0–30 km/h1.04 s1.31 s
0–50 km/h1.74 s2.37 s
0–80 km/h2.85 s4.96 s
0–100 km/h3.88 s7.46 s
0–120 km/h5.07 s10.74 s
0–160 km/h8.84 s20.97 s
0–200 km/h13.81 s46.63 s
400 m standing start12.08 s15.44 s
1,000 m standing start22.05 s28.77 s
Top speed limited250 km/h215 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Audi

RS 3 Sportback

3,91kg/hpratio better by 4,74 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power400 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 565 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic
BMW

320e G20

8,65kg/hpcompensated by −200 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 765 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the RS 3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 3.88 s versus 7.46 s for the 320e. Despite lacking instant torque, 400 hp of power compensates. At this point, the RS 3 Sportback leads by 3.59 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the RS 3 Sportback is doing 150 km/h against 115 km/h for the 320e. The gap is 2.01 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 15.43 s. The 3.35 s gap represents roughly 125 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the RS 3 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 211 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 3 Sportback finishes in 22.04 s versus 28.77 s, with a 6.72 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

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 320e at 220 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 12.74 seconds. The 3.59 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, RS 3 Sportback wins (3,88 s vs 7,46 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. 320e G20: 204 hp, ratio 8,65 kg/hp.

RS 3 Sportback: 250 km/h. 320e G20: 215 km/h.