Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Hatchbacks
A128tiPetrolvsBBornBEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs128ti · Born

BMW 128ti F40 vs Cupra Born: 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 · 2020 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

VS
CupraBEV

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Gap0.96 sin favour of 128ti
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure128ti F40BornGap
0–100 km/h6.27 s7.23 s0.96 s · 128ti F40
400 m standing start14.44 s15.39 s0.95 s · 128ti F40
1,000 m standing start25.87 s28.98 s3.11 s · 128ti F40
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · 128ti F40
Power-to-weight ratio5.45 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · 128ti F40

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol128ti F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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.
Stage128ti F40Born
0–30 km/h1.81 s · tight gap1.88 s
0–50 km/h3.01 s · tight gap3.15 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h6.27 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h8.20 s9.79 s
0–160 km/h13.63 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h22.97 s-
400 m standing start14.44 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start25.87 s28.98 s
Top speed limited250 km/h160 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

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpratio better by 3,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −265 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 128ti hits 100 km/h in 6.27 s versus 7.23 s for the Born. Despite lacking instant torque, 265 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 128ti leads by 0.96 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 128ti is doing 132 km/h against 122 km/h for the Born. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 128ti crosses the line in 14.44 s versus 15.39 s. The 0.95 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 128ti continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 128ti finishes in 25.86 s versus 28.98 s, with a 3.12 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 128ti is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Born at 160 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 11.41 seconds. The 0.96 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

128ti vs A3 allstreet

BMWVSAudi

128ti vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

128ti vs A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kW

AudiVSBMW

S3 Sedan vs 128ti

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 128ti F40 wins (6,27 s vs 7,23 s).

128ti F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,27 seconds (calibrated simulation).

128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

128ti F40: 250 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.