Over 0–100 km/h, Leon e-Hybrid and 420i F32 are neck and neck (7,44 s vs 7,54 s, no significant gap).
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.
| Leon e-Hybrid | 420i F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,44 s+0,10 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,38 s+0,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s−0,67 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 238 km/h−13 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,76 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,29 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Leon e-Hybrid | 420i F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,12 s | 1,42 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,54 s | 2,53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,71 s | 5,09 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,44 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,72 s | 10,39 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,35 s | 19,05 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,36 s | 35,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,38 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 238 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 241 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 630 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DSG |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 420i hits 100 km/h in 7.44 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 184 hp of power compensates. The 0.10 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i is doing 117 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.46 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Leon e-Hybrid maxes out at 225 km/h while the Bmw 420i keeps accelerating towards 238 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.20 s.
Around 462 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Leon e-Hybrid overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 13 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Leon e-Hybrid finishes in 27.56 s versus 28.23 s. The 0.67 s delta in favour of the Leon e-Hybrid shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon e-Hybrid is capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 420i at 240 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 0.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Leon e-Hybrid and 420i F32 are neck and neck (7,44 s vs 7,54 s, no significant gap).
Leon e-Hybrid goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leon e-Hybrid: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.