Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,07 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 520e G30 | i3s I01 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.07 s | 6.81 s | 1.26 s · i3s I01 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.87 s | 15.05 s | 0.82 s · i3s I01 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.49 s | 28.59 s | 0.90 s · i3s I01 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 213 km/h | 160 km/h | 53 km/h · 520e G30 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9.31 kg/hp | 7.01 kg/hp | better ratio · i3s I01 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 520e G30 | i3s 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 |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 i3s hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 8.07 s for the 520e. The 1.26 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the i3s is doing 124 km/h against 113 km/h for the 520e. The gap is 0.29 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3s 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 i3s continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 154 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i3s finishes in 28.59 s versus 29.49 s, with a 0.90 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (213 km/h), the 520e never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 520e is capped at 218 km/h, the i3s 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.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,07 s).
520e G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,07 seconds (calibrated simulation).
520e G30: 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp. i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.
520e G30: 213 km/h. i3s I01: 160 km/h.