Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,38 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 120d F40 | i3 I01 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.38 s | 7.24 s | 0.14 s · i3 I01 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.41 s | 15.40 s | 0.01 s · i3 I01 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.90 s | 29.80 s | 1.90 s · 120d F40 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h | 150 km/h | 81 km/h · 120d F40 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.63 kg/hp | 7.47 kg/hp | better ratio · i3 I01 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 120d F40 | i3 I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.87 s · tight gap | 1.88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.04 s · tight gap | 3.14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.29 s | 5.25 s · tight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.38 s | 7.24 s · tight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.97 s | 9.85 s · tight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 17.66 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 32.84 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15.41 s | 15.40 s · tight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.90 s | 29.80 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 150 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 | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
| 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 i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.38 s for the 120d. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.14 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the i3 is doing 122 km/h against 121 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 0.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.01 s gap represents roughly 0 m of track
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The i3 maxes out at 150 km/h while the 120d keeps accelerating towards 231 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.29 s.
Around 426 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 120d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 81 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 29.80 s. The 1.90 s delta in favour of the 120d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d is capped at 231 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.
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 11.54 seconds. The 0.14 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,38 s).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,38 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.