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A218iPetrolvsBLeafBEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs218i · Leaf

BMW 218i F22 vs Nissan Leaf 24kWh AZE0: 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 · 2018 vs 2013 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

218i F22

140 hp · 220 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2018

VS
NissanBEV

Leaf 24kWh AZE0

109 hp · 254 Nm · 1,521 kg · 2013

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 218i F22

9.44 s

Gap1.92 sin favour of 218i
BNissan Leaf 24kWh AZE0

11.36 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure218i F22Leaf 24kWh AZE0Gap
0–100 km/h9.44 s11.36 s1.92 s · 218i F22
400 m standing start17.00 s18.14 s1.14 s · 218i F22
1,000 m standing start30.74 s33.56 s2.82 s · 218i F22
Top speed (electronically limited)205 km/h145 km/h60 km/h · 218i F22
Power-to-weight ratio9.68 kg/hp13.95 kg/hpbetter ratio · 218i F22

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol218i F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
NissanBEVLeaf 24kWh AZE0
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.
Stage218i F22Leaf 24kWh AZE0
0–30 km/h2.30 s2.49 s
0–50 km/h3.85 s4.16 s
0–80 km/h6.75 s7.76 s
0–100 km/h9.44 s11.36 s
0–120 km/h12.97 s16.36 s
0–160 km/h24.54 s-
0–200 km/h66.35 s-
400 m standing start17.00 s18.14 s
1,000 m standing start30.74 s33.56 s
Top speed205 km/h145 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

218i F22

9,68kg/hpratio better by 4,28 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power140 hp3 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (7-speed Steptronic with double clutch)
Nissan

Leaf 24kWh AZE0

13,95kg/hpcompensated by −166 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hpPending
Torque254 Nm
Weight1 521 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearboxsingle-speed reduction

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 218i hits 100 km/h in 9.44 s versus 11.36 s for the Leaf 24kWh AZE0. Despite lacking instant torque, 140 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 218i leads by 1.92 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 218i is doing 111 km/h against 102 km/h for the Leaf 24kWh AZE0. The gap is 0.63 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218i crosses the line in 16.99 s versus 18.13 s. The 1.14 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 218i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 153 km/h versus 139 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218i finishes in 30.73 s versus 33.56 s, with a 2.83 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 218i is capped at 205 km/h, the Leaf 24kWh AZE0 at 145 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 19.75 seconds. The 1.92 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 218i

RenaultVSNissan

Megane E-Tech Electric 130 vs Leaf 24kWh AZE0

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 218i

CitroenVSNissan

ë-C4 FWD vs Leaf 24kWh AZE0

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 218i F22 wins (9,44 s vs 11,36 s).

218i F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).

218i F22: 140 hp, ratio 9,68 kg/hp. Leaf 24kWh AZE0: 109 hp, ratio 13,95 kg/hp.

218i F22: 205 km/h. Leaf 24kWh AZE0: 145 km/h.