Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,19 s).
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.
| i3s I01 | A3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,81 s−1,38 s | 8,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,05 s−0,91 s | 15,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,59 s−0,40 s | 28,99 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 160 km/h | 232 km/h−72 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,01 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,40 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 | i3s I01 | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,77 s | 1,83 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,96 s | 3,06 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,95 s | 5,62 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,81 s | 8,19 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,25 s | 11,23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,98 s | 20,30 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 38,18 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,05 s | 15,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,59 s | 28,99 s |
| Top speed | 160 km/h | 232 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 360 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 410 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the i3s hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 8.19 s for the A3 Sportback. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3s leads by 1.38 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the i3s is doing 124 km/h against 115 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 0.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3s crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 15.95 s. The 0.91 s gap represents roughly 36 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The i3s maxes out at 160 km/h while the A3 Sportback keeps accelerating towards 232 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 1.08 s from 0.91 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the i3s finishes in 28.59 s versus 28.98 s, with just 0.39 s to spare. The A3 Sportback fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the i3s 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 13.06 seconds. The 1.38 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,19 s).
i3s I01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 150 hp, ratio 9,40 kg/hp.
i3s I01: 160 km/h. A3 Sportback: 232 km/h.