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A120iPetrolvsBClio 6Hybrid
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • Specs120i · Clio 6

BMW 120i F40 vs Renault Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2021 vs 2025 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

120i F40

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2021

VS
RenaultHybrid

Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160

160 hp · 205 Nm · 1,370 kg · 2025

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120i F40

6.91 s

Gap1.82 sin favour of 120i
BRenault Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160

8.73 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120i F40Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160Gap
0–100 km/h6.91 s8.73 s1.82 s · 120i F40
400 m standing start15.02 s16.40 s1.38 s · 120i F40
1,000 m standing start27.09 s29.70 s2.61 s · 120i F40
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h180 km/h55 km/h · 120i F40
Power-to-weight ratio7.81 kg/hp8.56 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120i F40

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPetrol120i F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
RenaultHybridClio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage120i F40Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160
0–30 km/h1.76 s2.06 s
0–50 km/h2.94 s3.45 s
0–80 km/h4.96 s6.07 s
0–100 km/h6.91 s8.73 s
0–120 km/h9.21 s11.64 s
0–160 km/h16.06 s22.08 s
0–200 km/h27.89 s-
400 m standing start15.02 s16.40 s
1,000 m standing start27.09 s29.70 s
Top speed235 km/h180 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

120i F40

7,81kg/hpratio better by 0,75 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission
Renault

Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160

8,56kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power160 hpE4
Torque205 Nm
Weight1 370 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxE-Tech Multi-Mode dog-clutch (ICE: 4-speed, EV: 2-speed)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120i hits 100 km/h in 6.91 s versus 8.73 s for the Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160. At this point, the 120i leads by 1.82 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120i is doing 124 km/h against 114 km/h for the Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160. The gap is 0.91 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120i crosses the line in 15.02 s versus 16.39 s. The 1.38 s gap represents roughly 52 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120i finishes in 27.09 s versus 29.70 s, with a 2.61 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120i is capped at 235 km/h, the Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 at 180 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.81 kg/hp vs 8.56 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.81 seconds. The 1.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 120i

RenaultVSPeugeot

Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 vs 208 Hybrid 145 e-DCS6

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

RenaultVSCitroen

Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160 vs C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F40 wins (6,91 s vs 8,73 s).

120i F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,91 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp. Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160: 160 hp, ratio 8,56 kg/hp.

120i F40: 235 km/h. Clio 6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 160: 180 km/h.