Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 9,90 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.
| S3 Sportback | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s−5,26 s | 9,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s−4,14 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s−7,62 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+41 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,61 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,68 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 | S3 Sportback | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,23 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,05 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,41 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s | 9,90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,63 s | 13,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,91 s | 26,77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,45 s | 64,77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 209 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| 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 |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the S3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the S3 Sportback leads by 5.26 s and sits roughly 30 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S3 Sportback is doing 139 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 2.74 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S3 Sportback crosses the line in 13.08 s versus 17.23 s. The 4.14 s gap represents roughly 144 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S3 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 197 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sportback finishes in 23.72 s versus 31.33 s, with a 7.62 s lead.
The S3 Sportback features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sportback’s FWD. 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.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the S3 Sportback never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.61 kg/hp vs 11.68 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.37 seconds. The 5.26 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 9,90 s).
S3 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,64 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S3 Sportback: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
S3 Sportback: 250 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.