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A116iPetrolvsBLeafBEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs116i · Leaf

BMW 116i F40 vs Nissan Leaf 24kWh AZE0: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2020 vs 2013 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

116i F40

109 hp · 190 Nm · 1,320 kg · 2020

VS
NissanBEV

Leaf 24kWh AZE0

109 hp · 254 Nm · 1,521 kg · 2013

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 116i F40

10.53 s

Gap0.83 sin favour of 116i
BNissan Leaf 24kWh AZE0

11.36 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure116i F40Leaf 24kWh AZE0Gap
0–100 km/h10.53 s11.36 s0.83 s · 116i F40
400 m standing start17.46 s18.14 s0.68 s · 116i F40
1,000 m standing start32.17 s33.56 s1.39 s · 116i F40
Top speed (electronically limited)199 km/h145 km/h54 km/h · 116i F40
Power-to-weight ratio12.11 kg/hp13.95 kg/hpbetter ratio · 116i F40

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPetrol116i F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
NissanBEVLeaf 24kWh AZE0
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage116i F40Leaf 24kWh AZE0
0–30 km/h1.94 s2.49 s
0–50 km/h3.42 s4.16 s
0–80 km/h7.04 s7.76 s
0–100 km/h10.53 s11.36 s
0–120 km/h15.20 s16.36 s
0–160 km/h31.08 s-
400 m standing start17.46 s18.14 s
1,000 m standing start32.17 s33.56 s
Top speed199 km/h145 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

116i F40

12,11kg/hpratio better by 1,84 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hp3 cyl
Torque190 Nm
Weight1 320 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)
Nissan

Leaf 24kWh AZE0

13,95kg/hpcompensated by −201 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hpPending
Torque254 Nm
Weight1 521 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearboxsingle-speed reduction

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 116i hits 100 km/h in 10.53 s versus 11.36 s for the Leaf 24kWh AZE0. Despite lacking instant torque, 109 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 116i leads by 0.83 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 116i is doing 104 km/h against 102 km/h for the Leaf 24kWh AZE0. The gap is 0.59 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 116i crosses the line in 17.45 s versus 18.13 s. The 0.68 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 116i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 143 km/h versus 139 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 116i finishes in 32.17 s versus 33.56 s, with a 1.39 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 116i is capped at 200 km/h, the Leaf 24kWh AZE0 at 145 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 19.75 seconds. The 0.83 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116i

RenaultVSNissan

Megane E-Tech Electric 130 vs Leaf 24kWh AZE0

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW vs 116i

CitroenVSNissan

ë-C4 FWD vs Leaf 24kWh AZE0

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 116i F40 wins (10,53 s vs 11,36 s).

116i F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 10,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).

116i F40: 109 hp, ratio 12,11 kg/hp. Leaf 24kWh AZE0: 109 hp, ratio 13,95 kg/hp.

116i F40: 199 km/h. Leaf 24kWh AZE0: 145 km/h.