Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 5,13 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.
| Taycan J1.1 | S3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,13 s | 4,64 s+0,49 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,03 s−0,06 s | 13,09 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,91 s−0,81 s | 23,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 230 km/h | 250 km/h−20 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,15 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 | Taycan J1.1 | S3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,53 s | 1,23 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,55 s | 2,05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,09 s | 3,41 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,13 s | 4,64 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,30 s | 6,63 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,95 s | 10,91 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,43 s | 17,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,03 s | 13,09 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,91 s | 23,72 s |
| Top speed limited | 230 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 | 402 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) |
| Torque | 345 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 071 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Two-speed dog-ring rear |
| 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 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 5.13 s for the Taycan. Despite lacking instant torque, 333 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S3 Sportback leads by 0.49 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S3 Sportback is doing 139 km/h against 148 km/h for the Taycan. The gap is 0.22 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Taycan crosses the line in 13.02 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.06 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Taycan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Taycan finishes in 22.91 s versus 23.72 s, with a 0.81 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), the S3 Sportback never recovers its launch deficit.
The S3 Sportback features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Taycan’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Taycan is capped at 230 km/h, the S3 Sportback at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.65 seconds. The 0.49 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback wins (4,64 s vs 5,13 s).
Taycan J1.1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Taycan J1.1: 402 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp. S3 Sportback: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.
Taycan J1.1: 230 km/h. S3 Sportback: 250 km/h.