Over 0–100 km/h, M3 F80 wins (4,18 s vs 7,72 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.
| M3 F80 | A5 Avant | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,18 s−3,54 s | 7,72 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,26 s−3,45 s | 15,71 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,95 s−5,99 s | 27,94 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+5 km/h | 245 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,55 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,38 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 | M3 F80 | A5 Avant |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,20 s | 2,12 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,01 s | 3,53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,29 s | 5,76 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,18 s | 7,72 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,53 s | 10,23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,71 s | 17,35 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13,11 s | 29,43 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,26 s | 15,71 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,95 s | 27,94 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 245 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 480 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 705 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 204 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 340 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 710 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Bmw M3 hits 100 km/h in 4.18 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Avant. At this point, the Bmw M3 leads by 3.54 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw M3 is doing 154 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 2.37 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw M3 crosses the line in 12.25 s versus 15.70 s. The 3.45 s gap represents roughly 137 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw M3 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 216 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw M3 finishes in 21.95 s versus 27.94 s, with a 5.99 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw M3 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the A5 Avant at 245 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.55 kg/hp vs 8.38 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.72 seconds. The 3.54 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, M3 F80 wins (4,18 s vs 7,72 s).
M3 F80 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,18 seconds (calibrated simulation).
M3 F80: 480 hp, ratio 3,55 kg/hp. A5 Avant: 204 hp, ratio 8,38 kg/hp.
M3 F80: 250 km/h. A5 Avant: 245 km/h.