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A118dvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs118d · A3

BMW 118d F40 vs Audi A3 Sedan: 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 · 2019 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

118d F40

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,400 kg · 2019

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 118d F40

8.35 s

Gap1.52 sin favour of 118d
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.87 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure118d F40A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h8.35 s9.87 s1.52 s · 118d F40
400 m standing start16.20 s17.21 s1.01 s · 118d F40
1,000 m standing start29.44 s31.24 s1.80 s · 118d F40
Top speed (electronically limited)218 km/h215 km/h3 km/h · 118d F40
Power-to-weight ratio9.33 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 118d F40

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel118d F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 Sedan
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.
Stage118d F40A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h2.02 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h3.31 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h5.89 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h8.35 s9.87 s
0–120 km/h11.53 s13.82 s
0–160 km/h21.37 s26.28 s
0–200 km/h43.65 s58.04 s
400 m standing start16.20 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start29.44 s31.24 s
Top speed218 km/h215 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

118d F40

9,33kg/hpratio better by 2,35 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 400 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (eight-speed Steptronic transmission)
Audi

A3 Sedan

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 118d hits 100 km/h in 8.35 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 118d leads by 1.52 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 118d is doing 115 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 0.65 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 118d crosses the line in 16.20 s versus 17.21 s. The 1.01 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 118d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 159 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 118d finishes in 29.44 s versus 31.24 s, with a 1.80 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (218 vs 215 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 218 km/h, the 118d 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 (9.33 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 16.25 seconds. The 1.52 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 118d F40
BMW 118d xDriveBMW 116dBMW 120d xDrive

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

118d vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

BMWVSMercedes

118d vs A 200 d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 118d F40 wins (8,35 s vs 9,87 s).

118d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,35 seconds (calibrated simulation).

118d F40: 150 hp, ratio 9,33 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

118d F40: 218 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.