Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 10,58 s).
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.
| i3 I01 | 116d F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s−3,34 s | 10,58 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s−2,38 s | 17,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s−2,19 s | 31,99 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 200 km/h−50 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,77 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 | i3 I01 | 116d F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,88 s | 2,64 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,14 s | 4,33 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,25 s | 7,52 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s | 10,58 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,85 s | 14,62 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 27,94 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 76,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s | 17,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s | 31,99 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 200 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| 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) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic) |
Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 10.58 s for the 116d. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3 leads by 3.34 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the i3 is doing 122 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 1.66 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 17.78 s. The 2.38 s gap represents roughly 84 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The i3 maxes out at 150 km/h while the 116d keeps accelerating towards 200 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 2.70 s from 2.38 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the i3 finishes in 29.80 s versus 31.98 s, with just 2.18 s to spare. The 116d fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i3 is capped at 150 km/h, the 116d at 200 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 17.16 seconds. The 3.34 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 10,58 s).
i3 I01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp. 116d F20LCI: 116 hp, ratio 11,77 kg/hp.
i3 I01: 150 km/h. 116d F20LCI: 200 km/h.