Over 0–100 km/h, RS e-tron GT wins (3,34 s vs 7,24 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.
| RS e-tron GT | i3 I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,34 s−3,90 s | 7,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,17 s−4,23 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,27 s−9,53 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+100 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,25 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 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 | RS e-tron GT | i3 I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,98 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,64 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,63 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,34 s | 7,24 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,24 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 6,79 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 10,40 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 11,17 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,27 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 150 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 738 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 830 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 395 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the RS e-tron GT hits 100 km/h in 3.34 s versus 7.24 s for the i3. At this point, the RS e-tron GT leads by 3.90 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the RS e-tron GT is doing 167 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 2.79 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the RS e-tron GT crosses the line in 11.17 s versus 15.40 s. The 4.23 s gap represents roughly 164 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the RS e-tron GT continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 233 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS e-tron GT finishes in 20.27 s versus 29.80 s, with a 9.53 s lead.
The RS e-tron GT features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i3’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 RS e-tron GT is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the i3 at 150 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 electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.25 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 3.90 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, RS e-tron GT wins (3,34 s vs 7,24 s).
RS e-tron GT goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,34 seconds (calibrated simulation).
RS e-tron GT: 738 hp, ratio 3,25 kg/hp. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
RS e-tron GT: 250 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.