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AM140ivsBS3Petrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsM140i · S3

BMW M140i F20LCI vs Audi S3 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.

compact · 2018 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrol

M140i F20LCI

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,470 kg · 2018

VS
AudiPetrol

S3 Sedan

333 hp · 420 Nm · 1,535 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M140i F20LCI

4.54 s

Gap0.09 sNot a significant gap
BAudi S3 Sedan

4.63 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM140i F20LCIS3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h4.54 s4.63 s0.09 s · M140i F20LCI
400 m standing start12.60 s13.08 s0.48 s · M140i F20LCI
1,000 m standing start22.65 s23.69 s1.04 s · M140i F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio4.32 kg/hp4.61 kg/hpbetter ratio · M140i F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM140i F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolS3 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.
StageM140i F20LCIS3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.37 s1.20 s
0–50 km/h2.25 s2.00 s
0–80 km/h3.51 s3.37 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h4.54 s · tight gap4.63 s
0–120 km/h5.82 s6.64 s
0–160 km/h9.32 s10.96 s
0–200 km/h14.54 s17.37 s
400 m standing start12.60 s13.08 s
1,000 m standing start22.65 s23.69 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 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

M140i F20LCI

4,32kg/hpratio better by 0,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 470 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
Audi

S3 Sedan

4,61kg/hpcompensated by −65 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power333 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 535 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M140i hits 100 km/h in 4.54 s versus 4.63 s for the S3 Sedan. The 0.09 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M140i is doing 151 km/h against 138 km/h for the S3 Sedan. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the M140i crosses the line in 12.60 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.48 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M140i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 210 km/h versus 198 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M140i finishes in 22.65 s versus 23.69 s, with a 1.04 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the M140i and the S3 Sedan are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.32 kg/hp vs 4.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.68 seconds. The 0.09 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 M140i F20LCI
BMW M135i xDriveBMW M135i xDriveBMW M140i xDrive
Instead of S3 Sedan
Audi S3 SportbackAudi RS 3 SportbackAudi RS 3 Sedan

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

M140i vs S3 Sportback

BMWVSAudi

M140i xDrive vs S3 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

RS 3 Sedan vs M140i

BMWVSAudi

M240i vs S3 Sedan

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M140i F20LCI and S3 Sedan are neck and neck (4,54 s vs 4,63 s, no significant gap).

M140i F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M140i F20LCI: 340 hp, ratio 4,32 kg/hp. S3 Sedan: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.

M140i F20LCI: 250 km/h. S3 Sedan: 250 km/h.