Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 9,87 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| i3 (120 Ah) I01 | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s−2,63 s | 9,87 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s−1,81 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s−1,44 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 215 km/h−65 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,68 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | i3 (120 Ah) I01 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,88 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,14 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,25 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s | 9,87 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,85 s | 13,82 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 26,28 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 58,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 215 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) leads by 2.63 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) is doing 122 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.15 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 17.21 s. The 1.81 s gap represents roughly 65 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Bmw i3 (120 Ah) maxes out at 150 km/h while the A3 Sedan keeps accelerating towards 215 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 2.08 s from 1.81 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) finishes in 29.80 s versus 31.24 s, with just 1.44 s to spare. The A3 Sedan fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 150 km/h, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) 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 16.25 seconds. The 2.63 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 9,87 s).
i3 (120 Ah) I01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i3 (120 Ah) I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
i3 (120 Ah) I01: 150 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.