Over 0–100 km/h, 118d F40 wins (8,65 s vs 9,90 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 118d F40 | A3 Sportback | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.65 s | 9.90 s | 1.25 s · 118d F40 |
| 400 m standing start | 16.41 s | 17.23 s | 0.82 s · 118d F40 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.83 s | 31.34 s | 1.51 s · 118d F40 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 218 km/h | 209 km/h | 9 km/h · 118d F40 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9.37 kg/hp | 11.68 kg/hp | better ratio · 118d F40 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 118d F40 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.07 s | 2.22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.39 s | 3.75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6.08 s | 6.86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.65 s | 9.90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11.98 s | 13.90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 22.37 s | 26.77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 47.11 s | 64.77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16.41 s | 17.23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.83 s | 31.34 s |
| Top speed | 218 km/h | 209 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 405 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission) |
| 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 118d hits 100 km/h in 8.65 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 118d leads by 1.25 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 118d is doing 113 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.53 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 118d crosses the line in 16.41 s versus 17.23 s. The 0.82 s gap represents roughly 30 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 118d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 157 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 118d finishes in 29.82 s versus 31.33 s, with a 1.51 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (218 vs 209 km/h), preventing any comeback.
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 (9.37 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 1.25 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, 118d F40 wins (8,65 s vs 9,90 s).
118d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).
118d F40: 150 hp, ratio 9,37 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
118d F40: 218 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.