Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,37 s vs 9,87 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 120d F40 | A3 Sedan | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.37 s | 9.87 s | 2.50 s · 120d F40 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 17.21 s | 1.75 s · 120d F40 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.03 s | 31.24 s | 3.21 s · 120d F40 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 230 km/h | 215 km/h | 15 km/h · 120d F40 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.63 kg/hp | 11.68 kg/hp | better ratio · 120d F40 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 120d F40 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.93 s | 2.22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.05 s | 3.75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.30 s | 6.86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.37 s | 9.87 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.04 s | 13.82 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17.96 s | 26.28 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 33.74 s | 58.04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 17.21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.03 s | 31.24 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 215 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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| 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 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.37 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 120d leads by 2.50 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 121 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 17.21 s. The 1.76 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 28.02 s versus 31.24 s, with a 3.22 s lead.
Electronically capped at 231 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 (7.63 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 2.50 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 (7,37 s vs 9,87 s).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,37 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
120d F40: 230 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.