Over 0–100 km/h, M4 Coupe F82 wins (4,38 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.
| M4 Coupe F82 | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,38 s−5,49 s | 9,87 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,21 s−5,00 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,76 s−9,48 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+35 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,64 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 | M4 Coupe F82 | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,31 s | 2,22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,17 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,43 s | 6,86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,38 s | 9,87 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,49 s | 13,82 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,40 s | 26,28 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,64 s | 58,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,21 s | 17,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,76 s | 31,24 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 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 | 431 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 570 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (7-speed M Steptronic with double clutch and Drivelogic) |
| 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 M4 Coupe hits 100 km/h in 4.38 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. At this point, the Bmw M4 Coupe leads by 5.49 s and sits roughly 26 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw M4 Coupe is doing 157 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 3.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw M4 Coupe crosses the line in 12.21 s versus 17.21 s. The 5.00 s gap represents roughly 172 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw M4 Coupe continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 221 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw M4 Coupe finishes in 21.75 s versus 31.24 s, with a 9.49 s lead.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw M4 Coupe 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 (3.64 kg/hp vs 11.68 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.25 seconds. The 5.49 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, M4 Coupe F82 wins (4,38 s vs 9,87 s).
M4 Coupe F82 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,38 seconds (calibrated simulation).
M4 Coupe F82: 431 hp, ratio 3,64 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
M4 Coupe F82: 250 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.