Over 0–100 km/h, M140i F20LCI and S3 Sedan are neck and neck (4,54 s vs 4,63 s, no significant gap).
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.
| M140i F20LCI | S3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,54 s−0,09 s | 4,63 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,60 s−0,48 s | 13,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,65 s−1,04 s | 23,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,32 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,61 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 | M140i F20LCI | S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,37 s | 1,20 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,25 s | 2,00 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,51 s | 3,37 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,54 s | 4,63 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,82 s | 6,64 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,32 s | 10,96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,54 s | 17,37 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,60 s | 13,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,65 s | 23,69 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 470 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 535 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Bmw M140i hits 100 km/h in 4.54 s versus 4.63 s for the S3 Sedan. The 0.09 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw M140i is doing 151 km/h against 138 km/h for the S3 Sedan. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw M140i crosses the line in 12.60 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.48 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw M140i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 210 km/h versus 198 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw M140i finishes in 22.65 s versus 23.69 s, with a 1.04 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw M140i and the S3 Sedan are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.32 kg/hp vs 4.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.68 seconds. The 0.09 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, M140i F20LCI and S3 Sedan are neck and neck (4,54 s vs 4,63 s, no significant gap).
M140i F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
M140i F20LCI: 340 hp, ratio 4,32 kg/hp. S3 Sedan: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.
M140i F20LCI: 250 km/h. S3 Sedan: 250 km/h.