Over 0–100 km/h, 420i F32 wins (7,44 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.
| 420i F32 | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s−2,46 s | 9,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s−1,85 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s−3,11 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 238 km/h+29 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 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 | 420i F32 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,42 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,53 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,09 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s | 9,90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,39 s | 13,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,05 s | 26,77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 35,17 s | 64,77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s | 17,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s | 31,34 s |
| Top speed | 238 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 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 420i hits 100 km/h in 7.44 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the Bmw 420i leads by 2.46 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i is doing 117 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.35 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 17.23 s. The 1.85 s gap represents roughly 67 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 420i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420i finishes in 28.23 s versus 31.33 s, with a 3.11 s lead.
Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 420i 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 (8.29 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 2.46 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, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 9,90 s).
420i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
420i F32: 238 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.