Over 0–100 km/h, 740d xDrive G11 wins (5,16 s vs 8,22 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 740d xDrive G11 | A3 Sedan | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.16 s | 8.22 s | 3.06 s · 740d xDrive G11 |
| 400 m standing start | 13.47 s | 16.10 s | 2.63 s · 740d xDrive G11 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.53 s | 28.62 s | 4.09 s · 740d xDrive G11 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 240 km/h | 10 km/h · 740d xDrive G11 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.84 kg/hp | 8.60 kg/hp | better ratio · 740d xDrive G11 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 740d xDrive G11 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.27 s | 2.27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.11 s | 3.78 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.70 s | 6.06 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.16 s | 8.22 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7.01 s | 10.86 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12.07 s | 18.59 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19.82 s | 32.84 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.47 s | 16.10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.53 s | 28.62 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 240 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 320 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 680 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 870 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the 740d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.16 s versus 8.22 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the 740d xDrive leads by 3.06 s and sits roughly 31 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 740d xDrive is doing 136 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.99 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 740d xDrive crosses the line in 13.47 s versus 16.09 s. The 2.62 s gap represents roughly 104 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 740d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740d xDrive finishes in 24.53 s versus 28.62 s, with a 4.09 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The 740d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sedan’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 740d 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 (5.84 kg/hp vs 8.60 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.45 seconds. The 3.06 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 740d xDrive G11 wins (5,16 s vs 8,22 s).
740d xDrive G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,16 seconds (calibrated simulation).
740d xDrive G11: 320 hp, ratio 5,84 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 8,60 kg/hp.
740d xDrive G11: 250 km/h. A3 Sedan: 240 km/h.