Over 0–100 km/h, i3s (120 Ah) I01 wins (6,81 s vs 7,04 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.
| 420d F32 | i3s (120 Ah) I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,04 s | 6,81 s+0,23 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,11 s | 15,05 s+0,06 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,78 s−0,81 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+80 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,45 kg/hp | 7,01 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 420d F32 | i3s (120 Ah) I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,37 s | 1,77 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,40 s | 2,96 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,80 s | 4,95 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,04 s | 6,81 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,85 s | 9,25 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,13 s | 16,98 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 33,30 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,11 s | 15,05 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,78 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed | 240 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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 605 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic 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 Bmw i3s (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 7.04 s for the Bmw 420d. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 420d is 8 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 420d is doing 119 km/h against 124 km/h for the Bmw i3s (120 Ah). The gap is 0.14 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 15.10 s. The 0.06 s gap represents roughly 2 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw i3s (120 Ah) maxes out at 160 km/h while the Bmw 420d keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.10 s.
Around 684 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 420d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 80 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420d finishes in 27.77 s versus 28.59 s. The 0.82 s delta in favour of the Bmw 420d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 420d is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) 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 11.60 seconds. The 0.23 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3s (120 Ah) I01 wins (6,81 s vs 7,04 s).
420d F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp. i3s (120 Ah) I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.
420d F32: 240 km/h. i3s (120 Ah) I01: 160 km/h.