Sur 0–100 km/h, i3s (120 Ah) I01 gagne (6,81 s vs 8,07 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.
| 520e G30 | i3s (120 Ah) I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,07 s | 6,81 s+1,26 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,87 s | 15,05 s+0,82 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,49 s | 28,59 s+0,90 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 213 km/h+53 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,31 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 | 520e G30 | i3s (120 Ah) I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,44 s | 1,77 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,58 s | 2,96 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,37 s | 4,95 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,07 s | 6,81 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11,61 s | 9,25 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 22,82 s | 16,98 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 52,29 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,87 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,49 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed | 213 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 | 204 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| 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 8.07 s for the Bmw 520e. The 1.26 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) is doing 124 km/h against 113 km/h for the Bmw 520e. The gap is 0.29 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 15.86 s. The 0.82 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 154 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) finishes in 28.59 s versus 29.49 s, with a 0.90 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (213 km/h), the Bmw 520e never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 520e is capped at 218 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (9.31 kg/hp vs 7.01 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.80 seconds. The 1.26 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Sur 0–100 km/h, i3s (120 Ah) I01 gagne (6,81 s vs 8,07 s).
520e G30 passe de 0 à 100 km/h en 8,07 secondes (simulation calibrée).
520e G30 : 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp. i3s (120 Ah) I01 : 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.
520e G30 : 213 km/h. i3s (120 Ah) I01 : 160 km/h.