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A330ePHEVvsBi3BEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330e · i3

BMW 330e G20 vs BMW i3 I01: 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 2018 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

330e G20

252 hp · 420 Nm · 1,740 kg · 2019

VS
BMWBEV

i3 I01

170 hp · 250 Nm · 1,270 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330e G20

5.92 s

Gap1.32 sin favour of 330e
BBMW i3 I01

7.24 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330e G20i3 I01Gap
0–100 km/h5.92 s7.24 s1.32 s · 330e G20
400 m standing start14.23 s15.40 s1.17 s · 330e G20
1,000 m standing start26.25 s29.80 s3.55 s · 330e G20
Top speed (electronically limited)230 km/h150 km/h80 km/h · 330e G20
Power-to-weight ratio6.90 kg/hp7.47 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
BMWBEVi3 I01
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 G20i3 I01
0–30 km/h1.31 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.22 s3.14 s
0–80 km/h4.15 s5.25 s
0–100 km/h5.92 s7.24 s
0–120 km/h8.21 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h14.85 s-
0–200 km/h27.58 s-
400 m standing start14.23 s15.40 s
1,000 m standing start26.25 s29.80 s
Top speed230 km/h150 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 0,57 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 740 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

i3 I01

7,47kg/hpcompensated by −470 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power170 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 270 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330e hits 100 km/h in 5.92 s versus 7.24 s for the i3. At this point, the 330e leads by 1.32 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330e is doing 128 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 0.92 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330e crosses the line in 14.23 s versus 15.40 s. The 1.17 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 330e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330e finishes in 26.25 s versus 29.80 s, with a 3.55 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 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.

With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.90 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 1.32 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

VolvoVSBMW

V60 B5 AWD Geartronic vs 330e

MINIVSBMW

Cooper E FWD vs i3

AudiVSBMW

A5 Avant e-hybrid quattro 220 kW vs 330e

MINIVSBMW

Cooper SE FWD vs i3

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 330e G20 wins (5,92 s vs 7,24 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. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.

330e G20: 230 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.