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A225dDieselvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs225d · A3

BMW 225d 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
BMWDiesel

225d F22

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,475 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrolFaster

A3 Sedan

204 hp · 320 Nm · 1,455 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 225d F22

6.40 s

Gap0.19 sin favour of A3 Sedan
BAudi A3 Sedan

6.21 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure225d F22A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h6.40 s6.21 s0.19 s · A3 Sedan
400 m standing start14.61 s14.74 s0.13 s · 225d F22
1,000 m standing start26.28 s27.19 s0.91 s · 225d F22
Top speed (electronically limited)243 km/h241 km/h2 km/h · 225d F22
Power-to-weight ratio6.58 kg/hp7.13 kg/hpbetter ratio · 225d F22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel225d F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 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.
Stage225d F22A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.85 s1.25 s
0–50 km/h2.98 s2.15 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s4.27 s
0–100 km/h6.40 s6.21 s
0–120 km/h8.49 s9.47 s
0–160 km/h14.42 s17.15 s
0–200 km/h24.76 s30.36 s
400 m standing start14.61 s · tight gap14.74 s
1,000 m standing start26.28 s27.19 s
Top speed243 km/h241 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

225d F22

6,58kg/hpratio better by 0,55 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 475 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A3 Sedan

7,13kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 455 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the A3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 6.21 s versus 6.40 s for the 225d. At this point, the A3 Sedan leads by 0.19 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the A3 Sedan is doing 119 km/h against 130 km/h for the 225d. The gap is 0.32 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 225d crosses the line in 14.61 s versus 14.73 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 225d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 169 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 225d finishes in 26.28 s versus 27.19 s, with a 0.91 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (243 vs 241 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 243 km/h, the 225d 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 (6.58 kg/hp vs 7.13 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.24 seconds. The 0.19 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 225d F22
BMW 230iBMW 220i

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

225d vs A3 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 220i

BMWVSAudi

225d vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, A3 Sedan wins (6,21 s vs 6,40 s).

225d F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,40 seconds (calibrated simulation).

225d F22: 224 hp, ratio 6,58 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 7,13 kg/hp.

225d F22: 243 km/h. A3 Sedan: 241 km/h.