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A730LdvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs730Ld · A3

BMW 730Ld xDrive G11 vs Audi A3 Sedan: 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.

limousine · 2018 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

730Ld xDrive G11

265 hp · 620 Nm · 1,880 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 Sedan

204 hp · 320 Nm · 1,455 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 730Ld xDrive G11

5.87 s

Gap0.34 sin favour of 730Ld xDrive
BAudi A3 Sedan

6.21 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure730Ld xDrive G11A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h5.87 s6.21 s0.34 s · 730Ld xDrive G11
400 m standing start14.15 s14.74 s0.59 s · 730Ld xDrive G11
1,000 m standing start25.94 s27.19 s1.25 s · 730Ld xDrive G11
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h241 km/h9 km/h · 730Ld xDrive G11
Power-to-weight ratio7.09 kg/hp7.13 kg/hpbetter ratio · 730Ld xDrive G11

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol730Ld xDrive G11
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 Sedan
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.
Stage730Ld xDrive G11A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.27 s1.25 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.16 s2.15 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.07 s4.27 s
0–100 km/h5.87 s6.21 s
0–120 km/h8.13 s9.47 s
0–160 km/h14.47 s17.15 s
0–200 km/h24.72 s30.36 s
400 m standing start14.15 s14.74 s
1,000 m standing start25.94 s27.19 s
Top speed limited250 km/h241 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

730Ld xDrive G11

7,09kg/hpratio better by 0,04 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp6 cyl
Torque620 Nm
Weight1 880 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

A3 Sedan

7,13kg/hpcompensated by −425 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 455 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 730Ld xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.87 s versus 6.21 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 730Ld xDrive leads by 0.34 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 730Ld xDrive is doing 128 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 0.23 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 730Ld xDrive crosses the line in 14.15 s versus 14.73 s. The 0.58 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 730Ld xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 178 km/h versus 169 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 730Ld xDrive finishes in 25.94 s versus 27.19 s, with a 1.25 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 241 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 730Ld xDrive 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 (7.09 kg/hp vs 7.13 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.24 seconds. The 0.34 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 730Ld xDrive G11
BMW 230i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 730Ld xDrive G11 wins (5,87 s vs 6,21 s).

730Ld xDrive G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,87 seconds (calibrated simulation).

730Ld xDrive G11: 265 hp, ratio 7,09 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 7,13 kg/hp.

730Ld xDrive G11: 250 km/h. A3 Sedan: 241 km/h.