BMW 220i Convertible F44 vs MINI Cooper E FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Cooper E FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.20 s versus 7.60 s for the Bmw 220i Convertible. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 220i Convertible is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 220i Convertible is doing 118 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper E FWD. The gap is 0.07 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper E FWD crosses the line in 15.37 s versus 15.54 s. The 0.17 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Cooper E FWD maxes out at 160 km/h while the Bmw 220i Convertible keeps accelerating towards 226 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.26 s.

Around 804 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 220i Convertible overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 66 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 220i Convertible finishes in 28.42 s versus 28.93 s. The 0.51 s delta in favour of the Bmw 220i Convertible shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 220i Convertible is capped at 226 km/h, the Cooper E FWD 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 12.27 seconds. The 0.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.