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A218dvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs218d · A3

BMW 218d F22 vs Audi A3 Sedan: 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

218d F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2018

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 218d F22

8.85 s

Gap1.02 sin favour of 218d
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.87 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure218d F22A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h8.85 s9.87 s1.02 s · 218d F22
400 m standing start16.56 s17.21 s0.65 s · 218d F22
1,000 m standing start30.13 s31.24 s1.11 s · 218d F22
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h215 km/h5 km/h · A3 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio9.63 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 218d F22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel218d F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 Sedan
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.
Stage218d F22A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h2.11 s · tight gap2.22 s
0–50 km/h3.45 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h6.26 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h8.85 s9.87 s
0–120 km/h12.29 s13.82 s
0–160 km/h23.20 s26.28 s
0–200 km/h53.82 s58.04 s
400 m standing start16.56 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start30.13 s31.24 s
Top speed210 km/h215 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

218d F22

9,63kg/hpratio better by 2,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
Audi

A3 Sedan

11,68kg/hpcompensated by −90 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 218d hits 100 km/h in 8.85 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 218d leads by 1.02 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 218d is doing 112 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 0.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218d crosses the line in 16.56 s versus 17.21 s. The 0.65 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 218d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 155 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218d finishes in 30.12 s versus 31.24 s, with a 1.12 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (210 vs 215 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the 218d 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 (9.63 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 1.02 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 218d F22
BMW 216dBMW 218dBMW 220d xDrive

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

218d vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

BMWVSMercedes

218d vs A 200 d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 218d F22 wins (8,85 s vs 9,87 s).

218d F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,85 seconds (calibrated simulation).

218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,63 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

218d F22: 210 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.