BMW 520e G30 vs Audi A3 Sedan: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 520e hits 100 km/h in 8.07 s versus 8.22 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 520e leads by 0.15 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 520e is doing 113 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 0.60 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520e crosses the line in 15.86 s versus 16.09 s. The 0.23 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 520e maxes out at 213 km/h while the A3 Sedan keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.15 s.

Around 520 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A3 Sedan overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 27 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A3 Sedan finishes in 28.62 s versus 29.49 s. The 0.87 s delta in favour of the A3 Sedan shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Electronically capped at 218 km/h, the 520e 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.80 seconds. The 0.15 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.