Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 6,47 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 | 530i G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s−1,83 s | 6,47 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s−1,52 s | 14,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s−2,38 s | 26,10 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,61 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,45 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 | 530i G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,23 s | 1,77 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,05 s | 2,94 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,41 s | 4,83 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s | 6,47 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,63 s | 8,55 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,91 s | 14,25 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,45 s | 23,22 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s | 14,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 26,10 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 | 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 | 252 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 625 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the S3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 6.47 s for the Bmw 530i. At this point, the S3 Sportback leads by 1.83 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S3 Sportback is doing 139 km/h against 130 km/h for the Bmw 530i. The gap is 1.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S3 Sportback crosses the line in 13.08 s versus 14.61 s. The 1.52 s gap represents roughly 67 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 183 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sportback finishes in 23.72 s versus 26.09 s, with a 2.37 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.
The S3 Sportback features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 530i’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 share the same electronic speed cap: the S3 Sportback and the Bmw 530i 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 (4.61 kg/hp vs 6.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.76 seconds. The 1.83 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, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 6,47 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. 530i G30: 252 hp, ratio 6,45 kg/hp.
S3 Sportback: 250 km/h. 530i G30: 250 km/h.