Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,38 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 120d F40 | i3 (120 Ah) I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 7,24 s+0,14 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 15,40 s+0,01 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s−1,90 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h+81 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hp | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 120d F40 | i3 (120 Ah) I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,87 s | 1,88 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 3,14 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 5,25 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 7,24 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,97 s | 9,85 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,66 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 32,84 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 15,40 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 150 km/h |
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 Bmw i3 (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.38 s for the Bmw 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 Bmw i3 (120 Ah) is doing 122 km/h against 121 km/h for the Bmw 120d. The gap is 0.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) 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 Bmw i3 (120 Ah) maxes out at 150 km/h while the Bmw 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 Bmw 120d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 81 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 29.80 s. The 1.90 s delta in favour of the Bmw 120d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) 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 (120 Ah) 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 (120 Ah) I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. i3 (120 Ah) I01: 150 km/h.