Over 0–100 km/h, 420d Convertible G22 wins (7,75 s vs 8,19 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 420d Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.75 s | 8.19 s | 0.44 s · 420d Convertible G22 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.64 s | 15.96 s | 0.32 s · 420d Convertible G22 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.69 s | 28.99 s | 0.30 s · 420d Convertible G22 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 236 km/h | 232 km/h | 4 km/h · 420d Convertible G22 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9.34 kg/hp | 9.40 kg/hp | better ratio · 420d Convertible G22 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 420d Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.52 s | 1.83 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.64 s | 3.06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.29 s | 5.62 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.75 s | 8.19 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.87 s | 11.23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 20.11 s | 20.30 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 37.54 s | 38.18 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.64 s | 15.96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.69 s | 28.99 s |
| Top speed | 236 km/h | 232 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 775 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 360 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 410 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the 420d Convertible hits 100 km/h in 7.75 s versus 8.19 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 420d Convertible leads by 0.44 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 420d Convertible is doing 116 km/h against 115 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.32 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 420d Convertible crosses the line in 15.64 s versus 15.95 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the 420d Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 161 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420d Convertible finishes in 28.69 s versus 28.98 s, with a 0.29 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (236 vs 232 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the 420d 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 (9.34 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 0.44 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 420d Convertible G22 wins (7,75 s vs 8,19 s).
420d Convertible G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,75 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420d Convertible G22: 190 hp, ratio 9,34 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 150 hp, ratio 9,40 kg/hp.
420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h. A3 Sportback: 232 km/h.