Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sedan wins (4,63 s vs 4,74 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.
| X3 M40i G01 | S3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,74 s | 4,63 s+0,11 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,98 s−0,10 s | 13,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,62 s−0,07 s | 23,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,19 kg/hp | 4,61 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | X3 M40i G01 | S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,26 s | 1,20 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,08 s | 2,00 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,49 s | 3,37 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,74 s | 4,63 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,30 s | 6,64 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,59 s | 10,96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,32 s | 17,37 stight gap |
| 400 m standing start | 12,98 s | 13,08 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,62 s | 23,69 stight gap |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 360 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 870 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 535 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.63 s versus 4.74 s for the X3 M40i. At this point, the S3 Sedan leads by 0.11 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the X3 M40i is doing 142 km/h against 138 km/h for the S3 Sedan. The gap is 0.03 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the X3 M40i crosses the line in 12.98 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the X3 M40i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 198 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X3 M40i finishes in 23.62 s versus 23.69 s, with a 0.07 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.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the X3 M40i 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 (5.19 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 0.11 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sedan wins (4,63 s vs 4,74 s).
X3 M40i G01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,74 seconds (calibrated simulation).
X3 M40i G01: 360 hp, ratio 5,19 kg/hp. S3 Sedan: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.
X3 M40i G01: 250 km/h. S3 Sedan: 250 km/h.