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A116PetrolvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs116 · A3

BMW 116 F70 vs Audi A3 Sportback: 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 · 2024 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

116 F70

122 hp · 230 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2024

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sportback

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 116 F70

9.71 s

Gap0.19 sin favour of 116
BAudi A3 Sportback

9.90 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure116 F70A3 SportbackGap
0–100 km/h9.71 s9.90 s0.19 s · 116 F70
400 m standing start16.88 s17.23 s0.35 s · 116 F70
1,000 m standing start31.31 s31.34 s0.03 s · 116 F70
Top speed (electronically limited)206 km/h209 km/h3 km/h · A3 Sportback
Power-to-weight ratio11.39 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 116 F70

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol116 F70
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 Sportback
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.
Stage116 F70A3 Sportback
0–30 km/h1.56 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h2.99 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h6.40 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h9.71 s9.90 s
0–120 km/h14.10 s13.90 s
0–160 km/h28.40 s26.77 s
0–200 km/h76.57 s64.77 s
400 m standing start16.88 s17.23 s
1,000 m standing start31.31 s · tight gap31.34 s
Top speed206 km/h209 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.

BMW

116 F70

11,39kg/hpratio better by 0,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power122 hp3 cyl
Torque230 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic transmission with dual clutch
Audi

A3 Sportback

11,68kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 116 hits 100 km/h in 9.71 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 116 leads by 0.19 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 116 is doing 106 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.48 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 116 crosses the line in 16.88 s versus 17.23 s. The 0.35 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.

At 1,000 metres, the 116 finishes in 31.31 s versus 31.33 s, with just 0.03 s to spare. The A3 Sportback fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the 116 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 (11.39 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 16.84 seconds. The 0.19 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 116 F70
BMW 118d xDriveBMW 116dBMW 118d
Instead of A3 Sportback
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kWAudi A3 allstreet

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 116 F70 wins (9,71 s vs 9,90 s).

116 F70 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,71 seconds (calibrated simulation).

116 F70: 122 hp, ratio 11,39 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

116 F70: 206 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.