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A220dDieselvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs220d · A3

BMW 220d F22 vs Audi A3 Sportback: 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

220d F22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 Sportback

150 hp · 360 Nm · 1,410 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 220d F22

7.29 s

Gap0.90 sin favour of 220d
BAudi A3 Sportback

8.19 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure220d F22A3 SportbackGap
0–100 km/h7.29 s8.19 s0.90 s · 220d F22
400 m standing start15.41 s15.96 s0.55 s · 220d F22
1,000 m standing start27.65 s28.99 s1.34 s · 220d F22
Top speed (electronically limited)230 km/h232 km/h2 km/h · A3 Sportback
Power-to-weight ratio7.53 kg/hp9.40 kg/hpbetter ratio · 220d F22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel220d F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 Sportback
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.
Stage220d F22A3 Sportback
0–30 km/h2.11 s1.83 s
0–50 km/h3.35 s3.06 s
0–80 km/h5.41 s5.62 s
0–100 km/h7.29 s8.19 s
0–120 km/h9.70 s11.23 s
0–160 km/h16.80 s20.30 s
0–200 km/h30.35 s38.18 s
400 m standing start15.41 s15.96 s
1,000 m standing start27.65 s28.99 s
Top speed230 km/h232 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

220d F22

7,53kg/hpratio better by 1,87 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
Audi

A3 Sportback

9,40kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque360 Nm
Weight1 410 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 220d hits 100 km/h in 7.29 s versus 8.19 s for the A3 Sportback. Despite the faster sprint time, the A3 Sportback is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220d is doing 124 km/h against 115 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.17 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220d crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 15.95 s. The 0.55 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 220d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 220d finishes in 27.65 s versus 28.98 s, with a 1.33 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (230 vs 232 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 230 km/h, the 220d 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 (7.53 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 0.90 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 A3 Sportback
Audi A3 Sportback

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 220d F22 wins (7,29 s vs 8,19 s).

220d F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,29 seconds (calibrated simulation).

220d F22: 190 hp, ratio 7,53 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 150 hp, ratio 9,40 kg/hp.

220d F22: 230 km/h. A3 Sportback: 232 km/h.