Over 0–100 km/h, 218i Gran Coupe F44 wins (9,02 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.
| 218i Gran Coupe F44 | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 9,02 s−0,88 s | 9,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,62 s−0,61 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,43 s−0,91 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 215 km/h+6 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,93 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 | 218i Gran Coupe F44 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,94 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,27 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,18 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 9,02 s | 9,90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 12,77 s | 13,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 24,53 s | 26,77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 53,63 s | 64,77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,62 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,43 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed | 215 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 | 136 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 350 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch 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 218i Gran Coupe hits 100 km/h in 9.02 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe leads by 0.88 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe is doing 110 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.49 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe crosses the line in 16.62 s versus 17.23 s. The 0.61 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 152 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe finishes in 30.43 s versus 31.33 s, with a 0.91 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (215 vs 209 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 215 km/h, the Bmw 218i Gran Coupe 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 (9.93 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 0.88 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, 218i Gran Coupe F44 wins (9,02 s vs 9,90 s).
218i Gran Coupe F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,02 seconds (calibrated simulation).
218i Gran Coupe F44: 136 hp, ratio 9,93 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
218i Gran Coupe F44: 215 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.