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A330ePHEVvsB218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330e · 218i

BMW 330e G20 vs BMW 218i Steptronic F44: 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.

saloon · 2019 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

330e G20

252 hp · 420 Nm · 1,740 kg · 2019

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Steptronic F44

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,435 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330e G20

5.92 s

Gap2.86 sin favour of 330e
BBMW 218i Steptronic F44

8.78 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330e G20218i Steptronic F44Gap
0–100 km/h5.92 s8.78 s2.86 s · 330e G20
400 m standing start14.23 s16.44 s2.21 s · 330e G20
1,000 m standing start26.25 s29.97 s3.72 s · 330e G20
Top speed (electronically limited)230 km/h210 km/h20 km/h · 330e G20
Power-to-weight ratio6.90 kg/hp10.55 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330e G20

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV330e G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Steptronic F44
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.
Stage330e G20218i Steptronic F44
0–30 km/h1.31 s1.90 s
0–50 km/h2.22 s3.25 s
0–80 km/h4.15 s6.13 s
0–100 km/h5.92 s8.78 s
0–120 km/h8.21 s12.26 s
0–160 km/h14.85 s22.94 s
0–200 km/h27.58 s48.38 s
400 m standing start14.23 s16.44 s
1,000 m standing start26.25 s29.97 s
Top speed230 km/h210 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

330e G20

6,90kg/hpratio better by 3,65 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 740 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218i Steptronic F44

10,55kg/hpcompensated by −305 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp4 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 435 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330e hits 100 km/h in 5.92 s versus 8.78 s for the 218i Steptronic. The instant torque of 420 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 330e leads by 2.86 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330e is doing 128 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218i Steptronic. The gap is 1.52 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330e crosses the line in 14.23 s versus 16.44 s. The 2.21 s gap represents roughly 82 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330e finishes in 26.25 s versus 29.97 s, with a 3.72 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 330e is capped at 230 km/h, the 218i Steptronic at 210 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 14.37 seconds. The 2.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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A3 allstreet vs 218i Steptronic

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 330e G20 wins (5,92 s vs 8,78 s).

330e G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,92 seconds (calibrated simulation).

330e G20: 252 hp, ratio 6,90 kg/hp. 218i Steptronic F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,55 kg/hp.

330e G20: 230 km/h. 218i Steptronic F44: 210 km/h.