Audi S3 Sedan vs Cupra Born VZ: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.63 s versus 5.73 s for the Born VZ. Despite lacking instant torque, 333 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S3 Sedan leads by 1.10 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S3 Sedan is doing 138 km/h against 138 km/h for the Born VZ. The gap is 0.74 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S3 Sedan crosses the line in 13.08 s versus 13.96 s. The 0.88 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the S3 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sedan finishes in 23.69 s versus 27.45 s, with a 3.76 s lead.

The S3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Born VZ’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S3 Sedan is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h, the Born VZ at 160 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 8.30 seconds. The 1.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.