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A120dDieselvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120d · A3

BMW 120d F20LCI vs Audi A3 allstreet: 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 · 2018 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

120d F20LCI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,415 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 allstreet

150 hp · 250 Nm · 1,320 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120d F20LCI

7.15 s

Gap1.52 sin favour of 120d
BAudi A3 allstreet

8.67 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120d F20LCIA3 allstreetGap
0–100 km/h7.15 s8.67 s1.52 s · 120d F20LCI
400 m standing start15.30 s16.46 s1.16 s · 120d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start27.54 s29.43 s1.89 s · 120d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)228 km/h223 km/h5 km/h · 120d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio7.45 kg/hp8.80 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel120d F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 allstreet
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.
Stage120d F20LCIA3 allstreet
0–30 km/h2.05 s2.34 s
0–50 km/h3.27 s3.90 s
0–80 km/h5.29 s6.33 s
0–100 km/h7.15 s8.67 s
0–120 km/h9.55 s11.58 s
0–160 km/h16.63 s20.45 s
0–200 km/h30.38 s39.86 s
400 m standing start15.30 s16.46 s
1,000 m standing start27.54 s29.43 s
Top speed228 km/h223 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

120d F20LCI

7,45kg/hpratio better by 1,35 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 415 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
Audi

A3 allstreet

8,80kg/hpcompensated by −95 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 320 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.15 s versus 8.67 s for the A3 allstreet. At this point, the 120d leads by 1.52 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 124 km/h against 116 km/h for the A3 allstreet. The gap is 0.82 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 16.46 s. The 1.16 s gap represents roughly 46 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.53 s versus 29.42 s, with a 1.89 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (228 vs 223 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 228 km/h, the 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 (7.45 kg/hp vs 8.80 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.35 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 120d F20LCI
BMW 118iBMW 118iBMW 118i
Instead of A3 allstreet
Audi A3 Sportback

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120d vs A3 Sedan

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BMWVSAudi

120d vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 118i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F20LCI wins (7,15 s vs 8,67 s).

120d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120d F20LCI: 190 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp. A3 allstreet: 150 hp, ratio 8,80 kg/hp.

120d F20LCI: 228 km/h. A3 allstreet: 223 km/h.