Over 0–100 km/h, 120d xDrive F40 wins (7,21 s vs 9,90 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 xDrive F40 | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,21 s−2,69 s | 9,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,27 s−1,96 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,08 s−3,26 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 227 km/h+18 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,97 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 xDrive F40 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,54 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,58 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,99 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,21 s | 9,90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,07 s | 13,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,67 s | 26,77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 36,31 s | 64,77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,27 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,08 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed | 227 km/h | 209 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 | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-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 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.21 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the Bmw 120d xDrive leads by 2.69 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.40 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d xDrive crosses the line in 15.27 s versus 17.23 s. The 1.96 s gap represents roughly 70 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 164 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive finishes in 28.08 s versus 31.33 s, with a 3.25 s lead.
The Bmw 120d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sportback’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Electronically capped at 230 km/h, the Bmw 120d xDrive 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 (7.97 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 2.69 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 xDrive F40 wins (7,21 s vs 9,90 s).
120d xDrive F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,21 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d xDrive F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
120d xDrive F40: 227 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.