Sur 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI gagne (7,12 s vs 8,19 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.
| 120i F20LCI | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s−1,07 s | 8,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s−0,74 s | 15,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s−1,46 s | 28,99 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 232 km/h−7 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,40 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 | 120i F20LCI | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,79 s | 1,83 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,99 s | 3,06 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,16 s | 5,62 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s | 8,19 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,70 s | 11,23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,79 s | 20,30 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,61 s | 38,18 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s | 15,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s | 28,99 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 232 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | — | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 360 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 410 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 120i hits 100 km/h in 7.12 s versus 8.19 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the Bmw 120i leads by 1.07 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120i is doing 122 km/h against 115 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120i crosses the line in 15.22 s versus 15.95 s. The 0.73 s gap represents roughly 29 m of track — two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120i finishes in 27.52 s versus 28.98 s, with a 1.46 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 232 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 120i 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 (7.47 kg/hp vs 9.40 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.06 seconds. The 1.07 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.
Sur 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI gagne (7,12 s vs 8,19 s).
120i F20LCI passe de 0 à 100 km/h en 7,12 secondes (simulation calibrée).
120i F20LCI : 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp. A3 Sportback : 150 hp, ratio 9,40 kg/hp.
120i F20LCI : 225 km/h. A3 Sportback : 232 km/h.