Over 0–100 km/h, 420d Convertible G22 wins (7,75 s vs 9,90 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 420d Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,75 s−2,15 s | 9,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,64 s−1,59 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,69 s−2,65 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 236 km/h+27 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,34 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,68 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 420d Convertible G22 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,52 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,64 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,75 s | 9,90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,87 s | 13,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 20,11 s | 26,77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 37,54 s | 64,77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,64 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,69 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed | 236 km/h | 209 km/h |
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 | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the Bmw 420d Convertible hits 100 km/h in 7.75 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the Bmw 420d Convertible leads by 2.15 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420d Convertible is doing 116 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.19 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420d Convertible crosses the line in 15.64 s versus 17.23 s. The 1.59 s gap represents roughly 57 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 420d Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 161 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420d Convertible finishes in 28.69 s versus 31.33 s, with a 2.65 s lead.
Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the Bmw 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 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 2.15 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 420d Convertible G22 wins (7,75 s vs 9,90 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: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.