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A420dDieselvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs420d · A3

BMW 420d G22 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
BMWDieselFaster

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 220 Nm · 1,315 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Gap2.78 sin favour of 420d
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.82 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure420d G22A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h7.04 s9.82 s2.78 s · 420d G22
400 m standing start15.11 s17.21 s2.10 s · 420d G22
1,000 m standing start27.78 s31.15 s3.37 s · 420d G22
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h215 km/h25 km/h · 420d G22
Power-to-weight ratio8.45 kg/hp11.34 kg/hpbetter ratio · 420d G22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel420d G22
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.
Stage420d G22A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.37 s2.30 s
0–50 km/h2.40 s3.83 s
0–80 km/h4.80 s6.89 s
0–100 km/h7.04 s9.82 s
0–120 km/h9.85 s13.69 s
0–160 km/h18.13 s25.77 s
0–200 km/h33.30 s56.66 s
400 m standing start15.11 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start27.78 s31.15 s
Top speed240 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

420d G22

8,45kg/hpratio better by 2,89 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A3 Sedan

11,34kg/hpcompensated by −290 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 315 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 420d hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 9.82 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 420d leads by 2.78 s and sits roughly 31 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 420d is doing 119 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.58 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 420d crosses the line in 15.10 s versus 17.21 s. The 2.11 s gap represents roughly 76 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 420d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420d finishes in 27.77 s versus 31.15 s, with a 3.37 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the 420d 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 (8.45 kg/hp vs 11.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.05 seconds. The 2.78 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 420d

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sedan

VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 420d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 420d G22 wins (7,04 s vs 9,82 s).

420d G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).

420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,34 kg/hp.

420d G22: 240 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.