BMW 118i F40 vs Renault Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw 118i hits 100 km/h in 8.60 s versus 9.44 s for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. Despite lacking instant torque, 140 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Bmw 118i leads by 0.84 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 118i is doing 114 km/h against 111 km/h for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 118i crosses the line in 16.38 s versus 17.08 s. The 0.70 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the Bmw 118i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 158 km/h versus 140 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 118i finishes in 29.71 s versus 32.53 s, with a 2.82 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 118i is capped at 213 km/h, the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 at 140 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 15.57 seconds. The 0.84 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.