Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Sports Cars
A430iPetrolvsBA3Diesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs430i · A3

BMW 430i Convertible G22 vs Audi A3 Sportback: 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
BMWPetrolFaster

430i Convertible G22

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,715 kg · 2021

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sportback

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 430i Convertible G22

6.24 s

Gap3.66 sin favour of 430i Convertible
BAudi A3 Sportback

9.90 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure430i Convertible G22A3 SportbackGap
0–100 km/h6.24 s9.90 s3.66 s · 430i Convertible G22
400 m standing start14.45 s17.23 s2.78 s · 430i Convertible G22
1,000 m standing start26.31 s31.34 s5.03 s · 430i Convertible G22
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h209 km/h41 km/h · 430i Convertible G22
Power-to-weight ratio6.65 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · 430i Convertible G22

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol430i Convertible G22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 Sportback
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.
Stage430i Convertible G22A3 Sportback
0–30 km/h1.46 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h2.44 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h4.41 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h6.24 s9.90 s
0–120 km/h8.52 s13.90 s
0–160 km/h14.93 s26.77 s
0–200 km/h25.55 s64.77 s
400 m standing start14.45 s17.23 s
1,000 m standing start26.31 s31.34 s
Top speed limited250 km/h209 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

430i Convertible G22

6,65kg/hpratio better by 5,03 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 715 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A3 Sportback

11,68kg/hpcompensated by −360 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 430i Convertible hits 100 km/h in 6.24 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. At this point, the 430i Convertible leads by 3.66 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 430i Convertible is doing 127 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.87 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 430i Convertible crosses the line in 14.45 s versus 17.23 s. The 2.78 s gap represents roughly 99 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 430i Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 177 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 430i Convertible finishes in 26.31 s versus 31.33 s, with a 5.03 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 430i 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 (6.65 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 3.66 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 430i Convertible G22
BMW 220d ConvertibleBMW 225d Convertible

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSVolvo

430i Convertible vs S60 T5 Geartronic

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

BMWVSAudi

430i Convertible vs A4 45 TFSI quattro

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 430i Convertible G22 wins (6,24 s vs 9,90 s).

430i Convertible G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).

430i Convertible G22: 258 hp, ratio 6,65 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

430i Convertible G22: 250 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.