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A125dDieselvsBA3PHEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs125d · A3

BMW 125d 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 2025 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

125d F20LCI

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPHEV

A3 allstreet

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,610 kg · 2025

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 125d F20LCI

6.48 s

Gap0.96 sin favour of 125d
BAudi A3 allstreet

7.44 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure125d F20LCIA3 allstreetGap
0–100 km/h6.48 s7.44 s0.96 s · 125d F20LCI
400 m standing start14.68 s15.61 s0.93 s · 125d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start26.40 s28.14 s1.74 s · 125d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h230 km/h10 km/h · 125d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio6.61 kg/hp7.89 kg/hpbetter ratio · 125d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel125d F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPHEVA3 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.
Stage125d F20LCIA3 allstreet
0–30 km/h1.88 s · tight gap1.98 s
0–50 km/h3.03 s3.30 s
0–80 km/h4.83 s5.46 s
0–100 km/h6.48 s7.44 s
0–120 km/h8.57 s10.30 s
0–160 km/h14.58 s18.02 s
0–200 km/h25.23 s33.29 s
400 m standing start14.68 s15.61 s
1,000 m standing start26.40 s28.14 s
Top speed240 km/h230 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

125d F20LCI

6,61kg/hpratio better by 1,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A3 allstreet

7,89kg/hpcompensated by −130 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 610 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 125d hits 100 km/h in 6.48 s versus 7.44 s for the A3 allstreet. Despite lacking instant torque, 224 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 125d leads by 0.96 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 125d is doing 130 km/h against 120 km/h for the A3 allstreet. The gap is 0.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 125d crosses the line in 14.67 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.93 s gap represents roughly 38 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 125d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 125d finishes in 26.39 s versus 28.13 s, with a 1.74 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 230 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the 125d 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.95 seconds. The 0.96 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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225xe vs A3 allstreet

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 125d F20LCI wins (6,48 s vs 7,44 s).

125d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,48 seconds (calibrated simulation).

125d F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,61 kg/hp. A3 allstreet: 204 hp, ratio 7,89 kg/hp.

125d F20LCI: 240 km/h. A3 allstreet: 230 km/h.