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A218iPetrolvsBë-C4BEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs218i · ë-C4

BMW 218i F44 vs Citroen ë-C4 FWD: 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 2023 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

218i F44

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,370 kg · 2021

VS
CitroenBEV

ë-C4 FWD

136 hp · 260 Nm · 1,530 kg · 2023

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 218i F44

9.24 s

Gap0.53 sin favour of 218i
BCitroen ë-C4 FWD

9.77 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure218i F44ë-C4 FWDGap
0–100 km/h9.24 s9.77 s0.53 s · 218i F44
400 m standing start16.79 s17.29 s0.50 s · 218i F44
1,000 m standing start30.66 s31.40 s0.74 s · 218i F44
Top speed (electronically limited)205 km/h204 km/h1 km/h · 218i F44
Power-to-weight ratio10.07 kg/hp11.25 kg/hpbetter ratio · 218i F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol218i F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CitroenBEVë-C4 FWD
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 F44ë-C4 FWD
0–30 km/h2.04 s2.48 s
0–50 km/h3.43 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h6.45 s7.01 s
0–100 km/h9.24 s9.77 s
0–120 km/h12.98 s13.48 s
0–160 km/h25.02 s27.16 s
0–200 km/h68.09 s83.94 s
400 m standing start16.79 s17.29 s
1,000 m standing start30.66 s31.40 s
Top speed205 km/h204 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 F44

10,07kg/hpratio better by 1,18 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp3 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 370 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual
Citroen

ë-C4 FWD

11,25kg/hpcompensated by −160 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hpPending
Torque260 Nm
Weight1 530 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 218i hits 100 km/h in 9.24 s versus 9.77 s for the ë-C4 FWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 136 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 218i leads by 0.53 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 218i is doing 110 km/h against 110 km/h for the ë-C4 FWD. The gap is 0.48 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218i crosses the line in 16.79 s versus 17.29 s. The 0.50 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 218i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 152 km/h versus 149 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218i finishes in 30.65 s versus 31.39 s, with a 0.74 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (205 vs 204 km/h), preventing any comeback.

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 ë-C4 FWD 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 15.91 seconds. The 0.53 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

CitroenVSRenault

ë-C4 FWD vs Megane E-Tech Electric 130

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 218i

NissanVSCitroen

Leaf 40kWh ZE1 vs ë-C4 FWD

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 218i F44 wins (9,24 s vs 9,77 s).

218i F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).

218i F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,07 kg/hp. ë-C4 FWD: 136 hp, ratio 11,25 kg/hp.

218i F44: 205 km/h. ë-C4 FWD: 204 km/h.