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A230iPetrolvsBBornBEV
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • Specs230i · Born

BMW 230i Coupe G42 vs Cupra Born: 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 · 2022 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

230i Coupe G42

245 hp · 400 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2022

VS
CupraBEV

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 230i Coupe G42

6.01 s

Gap1.22 sin favour of 230i Coupe
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure230i Coupe G42BornGap
0–100 km/h6.01 s7.23 s1.22 s · 230i Coupe G42
400 m standing start14.21 s15.39 s1.18 s · 230i Coupe G42
1,000 m standing start25.54 s28.98 s3.44 s · 230i Coupe G42
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · 230i Coupe G42
Power-to-weight ratio6.22 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · 230i Coupe G42

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol230i Coupe G42
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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.
Stage230i Coupe G42Born
0–30 km/h1.62 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.70 s3.15 s
0–80 km/h4.45 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h6.01 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h7.95 s9.79 s
0–160 km/h13.37 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h22.01 s-
400 m standing start14.21 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start25.54 s28.98 s
Top speed limited250 km/h160 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

230i Coupe G42

6,22kg/hpratio better by 2,28 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power245 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −185 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 230i Coupe hits 100 km/h in 6.01 s versus 7.23 s for the Born. Despite lacking instant torque, 245 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 230i Coupe leads by 1.22 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 230i Coupe is doing 132 km/h against 122 km/h for the Born. The gap is 0.74 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 230i Coupe crosses the line in 14.20 s versus 15.39 s. The 1.19 s gap represents roughly 48 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 230i Coupe continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 230i Coupe finishes in 25.53 s versus 28.98 s, with a 3.45 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 230i Coupe is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Born 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 11.41 seconds. The 1.22 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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AudiVSBMW

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 230i Coupe G42 wins (6,01 s vs 7,23 s).

230i Coupe G42 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,01 seconds (calibrated simulation).

230i Coupe G42: 245 hp, ratio 6,22 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

230i Coupe G42: 250 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.