Over 0–100 km/h, 230i F44 wins (5,51 s vs 6,81 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 230i F44 | i3s I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,51 s−1,30 s | 6,81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,75 s−1,30 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,03 s−3,56 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+90 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,81 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,01 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 230i F44 | i3s I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,34 s | 1,77 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,23 s | 2,96 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,93 s | 4,95 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,51 s | 6,81 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,40 s | 9,25 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,69 s | 16,98 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 21,35 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 13,75 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,03 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 160 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 465 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the 230i hits 100 km/h in 5.51 s versus 6.81 s for the i3s. Despite lacking instant torque, 252 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 230i leads by 1.30 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 230i is doing 134 km/h against 124 km/h for the i3s. The gap is 0.90 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 230i crosses the line in 13.74 s versus 15.05 s. The 1.30 s gap represents roughly 54 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 230i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 230i finishes in 25.03 s versus 28.59 s, with a 3.56 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 230i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the i3s 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 10.76 seconds. The 1.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 230i F44 wins (5,51 s vs 6,81 s).
230i F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,51 seconds (calibrated simulation).
230i F44: 252 hp, ratio 5,81 kg/hp. i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.
230i F44: 250 km/h. i3s I01: 160 km/h.