BMW 218i F22 vs Renault Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 218i hits 100 km/h in 9.44 s versus 9.44 s for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. Despite lacking instant torque, 140 hp of power compensates. The 0.00 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the 218i is doing 111 km/h against 111 km/h for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. The gap is 0.05 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218i crosses the line in 16.99 s versus 17.08 s. The 0.09 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the 218i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 153 km/h versus 140 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218i finishes in 30.73 s versus 32.53 s, with a 1.80 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 218i is capped at 205 km/h, the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 at 140 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 15.57 seconds. The 0.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.