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A520dHybridvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs520d · A3

BMW 520d G30 vs Audi A3 allstreet: 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.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

520d G30

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,675 kg · 2021

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 allstreet

150 hp · 360 Nm · 1,435 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 520d G30

7.17 s

Gap1.21 sin favour of 520d
BAudi A3 allstreet

8.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure520d G30A3 allstreetGap
0–100 km/h7.17 s8.38 s1.21 s · 520d G30
400 m standing start15.20 s16.10 s0.90 s · 520d G30
1,000 m standing start28.10 s29.32 s1.22 s · 520d G30
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h223 km/h12 km/h · 520d G30
Power-to-weight ratio8.82 kg/hp9.57 kg/hpbetter ratio · 520d G30

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid520d G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 allstreet
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.
Stage520d G30A3 allstreet
0–30 km/h1.25 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.35 s3.13 s
0–80 km/h4.82 s5.74 s
0–100 km/h7.17 s8.38 s
0–120 km/h10.23 s11.52 s
0–160 km/h18.99 s21.15 s
0–200 km/h35.92 s42.26 s
400 m standing start15.20 s16.10 s
1,000 m standing start28.10 s29.32 s
Top speed235 km/h223 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

520d G30

8,82kg/hpratio better by 0,75 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 675 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Audi

A3 allstreet

9,57kg/hpcompensated by −240 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque360 Nm
Weight1 435 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 520d hits 100 km/h in 7.17 s versus 8.38 s for the A3 allstreet. At this point, the 520d leads by 1.21 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 520d is doing 117 km/h against 114 km/h for the A3 allstreet. The gap is 0.78 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520d crosses the line in 15.20 s versus 16.10 s. The 0.91 s gap represents roughly 35 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 520d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 159 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 520d finishes in 28.10 s versus 29.31 s, with a 1.21 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (235 vs 223 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 235 km/h, the 520d 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 (8.82 kg/hp vs 9.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.44 seconds. The 1.21 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 520d G30 wins (7,17 s vs 8,38 s).

520d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).

520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,82 kg/hp. A3 allstreet: 150 hp, ratio 9,57 kg/hp.

520d G30: 235 km/h. A3 allstreet: 223 km/h.