BMW 118d F40 vs Citroen C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 hits 100 km/h in 8.57 s versus 8.65 s for the 118d. The instant torque of 230 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.08 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the 118d is doing 113 km/h against 116 km/h for the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6. The gap is 0.14 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 crosses the line in 16.38 s versus 16.41 s. The 0.02 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track

Past 400 metres, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 finishes in 29.52 s versus 29.82 s, with a 0.31 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (218 vs 205 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 118d is capped at 218 km/h, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 at 205 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 14.03 seconds. The 0.08 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.