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A225dvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs225d · A3

BMW 225d Convertible 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

225d Convertible F22

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,625 kg · 2018

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sportback

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 225d Convertible F22

6.54 s

Gap3.36 sin favour of 225d Convertible
BAudi A3 Sportback

9.90 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure225d Convertible F22A3 SportbackGap
0–100 km/h6.54 s9.90 s3.36 s · 225d Convertible F22
400 m standing start14.76 s17.23 s2.47 s · 225d Convertible F22
1,000 m standing start26.80 s31.34 s4.54 s · 225d Convertible F22
Top speed (electronically limited)231 km/h209 km/h22 km/h · 225d Convertible F22
Power-to-weight ratio7.25 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 225d Convertible F22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel225d Convertible F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 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.
Stage225d Convertible F22A3 Sportback
0–30 km/h1.75 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h2.84 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h4.75 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h6.54 s9.90 s
0–120 km/h8.83 s13.90 s
0–160 km/h15.48 s26.77 s
0–200 km/h27.94 s64.77 s
400 m standing start14.76 s17.23 s
1,000 m standing start26.80 s31.34 s
Top speed231 km/h209 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 Convertible F22

7,25kg/hpratio better by 4,43 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 625 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A3 Sportback

11,68kg/hpcompensated by −270 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 225d Convertible hits 100 km/h in 6.54 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 225d Convertible leads by 3.36 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 225d Convertible is doing 127 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.57 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 225d Convertible crosses the line in 14.76 s versus 17.23 s. The 2.47 s gap represents roughly 88 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 225d Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 225d Convertible finishes in 26.79 s versus 31.33 s, with a 4.54 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 231 km/h, the 225d Convertible 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 (7.25 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 3.36 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 Convertible F22
BMW 220d Convertible

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

225d Convertible vs A3 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

BMWVSMercedes

225d Convertible vs A 200 d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 225d Convertible F22 wins (6,54 s vs 9,90 s).

225d Convertible F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).

225d Convertible F22: 224 hp, ratio 7,25 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

225d Convertible F22: 231 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.