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A320ePHEVvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs320e · A3

BMW 320e G20 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.

saloon · 2021 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

320e G20

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,765 kg · 2021

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 320e G20

7.46 s

Gap2.41 sin favour of 320e
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.87 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure320e G20A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h7.46 s9.87 s2.41 s · 320e G20
400 m standing start15.44 s17.21 s1.77 s · 320e G20
1,000 m standing start28.77 s31.24 s2.47 s · 320e G20
Top speed (electronically limited)215 km/h215 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio8.65 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 320e G20

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV320e G20
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.
Stage320e G20A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.31 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h2.37 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h4.96 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h7.46 s9.87 s
0–120 km/h10.74 s13.82 s
0–160 km/h20.97 s26.28 s
0–200 km/h46.63 s58.04 s
400 m standing start15.44 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start28.77 s31.24 s
Top speed215 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

320e G20

8,65kg/hpratio better by 3,03 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 765 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A3 Sedan

11,68kg/hpcompensated by −410 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 320e hits 100 km/h in 7.46 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 320e leads by 2.41 s and sits roughly 31 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 320e is doing 115 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 320e crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 17.21 s. The 1.77 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 320e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 158 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320e finishes in 28.77 s versus 31.24 s, with a 2.47 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (215 vs 215 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 220 km/h, the 320e 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.25 seconds. The 2.41 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

VolvoVSBMW

V60 B5 AWD Geartronic vs 320e

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

AudiVSBMW

A5 Avant e-hybrid quattro 220 kW vs 320e

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 320e G20 wins (7,46 s vs 9,87 s).

320e G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,46 seconds (calibrated simulation).

320e G20: 204 hp, ratio 8,65 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

320e G20: 215 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.