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AM240ivsBA3Petrol
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  • SpecsM240i · A3

BMW M240i F44 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.

compact · 2020 vs 2026 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M240i F44

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 220 Nm · 1,315 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M240i F44

4.67 s

Gap5.16 sin favour of M240i
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.82 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM240i F44A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h4.67 s9.82 s5.16 s · M240i F44
400 m standing start12.78 s17.21 s4.43 s · M240i F44
1,000 m standing start23.04 s31.15 s8.11 s · M240i F44
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h215 km/h35 km/h · M240i F44
Power-to-weight ratio4.49 kg/hp11.34 kg/hpbetter ratio · M240i F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM240i F44
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.
StageM240i F44A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.33 s2.30 s
0–50 km/h2.21 s3.83 s
0–80 km/h3.53 s6.89 s
0–100 km/h4.67 s9.82 s
0–120 km/h6.03 s13.69 s
0–160 km/h9.80 s25.77 s
0–200 km/h15.53 s56.66 s
400 m standing start12.78 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start23.04 s31.15 s
Top speed limited250 km/h215 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

M240i F44

4,49kg/hpratio better by 6,85 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
Audi

A3 Sedan

11,34kg/hpcompensated by −210 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 315 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M240i hits 100 km/h in 4.67 s versus 9.82 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the M240i leads by 5.16 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M240i is doing 147 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 2.87 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M240i crosses the line in 12.78 s versus 17.21 s. The 4.43 s gap represents roughly 154 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M240i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M240i finishes in 23.03 s versus 31.15 s, with a 8.11 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the M240i 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 (4.49 kg/hp vs 11.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.05 seconds. The 5.16 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

M240i vs S3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

M240i vs S3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M240i F44 wins (4,67 s vs 9,82 s).

M240i F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,67 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M240i F44: 340 hp, ratio 4,49 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,34 kg/hp.

M240i F44: 250 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.