Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,44 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.
| 420i F32 | i3 I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s | 7,24 s+0,20 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s−0,02 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s−1,57 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 238 km/h+88 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 kg/hp | 7,47 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 | 420i F32 | i3 I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,42 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,53 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,09 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s | 7,24 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,39 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,05 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 35,17 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s | 15,40 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed | 238 km/h | 150 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.44 s for the 420i. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 420i 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 420i is doing 117 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 0.19 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 15.40 s. The 0.02 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track
Past 400 metres, the 420i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420i finishes in 28.23 s versus 29.80 s, with a 1.57 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 420i is capped at 240 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.
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 12.15 seconds. The 0.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,44 s).
420i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
420i F32: 238 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.