BMW 220i Convertible F44 vs BMW i3 I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.60 s for the 220i Convertible. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 220i Convertible is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the 220i Convertible is doing 118 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 0.02 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.54 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The i3 maxes out at 150 km/h while the 220i Convertible keeps accelerating towards 226 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.01 s.

Around 597 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 220i Convertible overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 76 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 220i Convertible finishes in 28.42 s versus 29.80 s. The 1.38 s delta in favour of the 220i Convertible shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 220i Convertible is capped at 226 km/h, the i3 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 12.27 seconds. The 0.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.