Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 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 | Cooper SE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,07 s | 7,32 s+0,75 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,87 s | 15,46 s+0,41 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,49 s−0,37 s | 29,86 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 213 km/h+63 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,31 kg/hp | 7,42 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 | Cooper SE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,44 s | 2,03 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,58 s | 3,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,37 s | 5,51 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,07 s | 7,32 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11,61 s | 9,71 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 22,82 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 52,29 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,87 s | 15,46 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,49 s | 29,86 s |
| Top speed | 213 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 | 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 | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 8.07 s for the Bmw 520e. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 520e is 10 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 520e is doing 113 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper SE FWD. The gap is 0.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper SE FWD crosses the line in 15.46 s versus 15.86 s. The 0.40 s gap represents roughly 16 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Cooper SE FWD maxes out at 150 km/h while the Bmw 520e keeps accelerating towards 213 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.51 s.
Around 880 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 520e overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 63 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 520e finishes in 29.49 s versus 29.86 s. The 0.37 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 520e is capped at 218 km/h, the Cooper SE FWD 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (9.31 kg/hp vs 7.42 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 0.75 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 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. Cooper SE FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,42 kg/hp.
520e G30: 213 km/h. Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h.