Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,24 s vs 9,87 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.
| 120d F40 | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s−2,63 s | 9,87 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s−1,83 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,75 s−3,49 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h+16 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 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 | 120d F40 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,04 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,17 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,28 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s | 9,87 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,77 s | 13,82 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,19 s | 26,28 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 31,43 s | 58,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,75 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 215 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 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 Bmw 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the Bmw 120d leads by 2.63 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d is doing 123 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 17.21 s. The 1.83 s gap represents roughly 66 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.74 s versus 31.24 s, with a 3.49 s lead.
Electronically capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw 120d 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 (7.63 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 2.63 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, 120d F40 wins (7,24 s vs 9,87 s).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.