Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 8,62 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Cooper SE FWD | 118d xDrive F20LCI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.32 s | 8.62 s | 1.30 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 16.29 s | 0.83 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.86 s | 29.87 s | 0.01 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 210 km/h | 60 km/h · 118d xDrive F20LCI |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.42 kg/hp | 9.80 kg/hp | better ratio · Cooper SE FWD |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Cooper SE FWD | 118d xDrive F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.03 s | 1.80 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.40 s | 3.05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.51 s | 5.89 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.32 s | 8.62 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.71 s | 12.06 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 23.03 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 52.90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 16.29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.86 s · tight gap | 29.87 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 210 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 470 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 8.62 s for the 118d xDrive. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 1.30 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Cooper SE FWD is doing 124 km/h against 112 km/h for the 118d xDrive. The gap is 0.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper SE FWD crosses the line in 15.46 s versus 16.28 s. The 0.82 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Cooper SE FWD maxes out at 150 km/h while the 118d xDrive keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.92 s from 0.82 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the Cooper SE FWD finishes in 29.86 s versus 29.87 s, with just 0.01 s to spare. The 118d xDrive fails to fully close the launch gap.
The 118d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cooper SE FWD’s FWD. 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 Cooper SE FWD is capped at 150 km/h, the 118d xDrive at 210 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 14.20 seconds. The 1.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 8,62 s).
Cooper SE FWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,32 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cooper SE FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,42 kg/hp. 118d xDrive F20LCI: 150 hp, ratio 9,80 kg/hp.
Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h. 118d xDrive F20LCI: 210 km/h.