Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 9,44 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.
| i3 (120 Ah) I01 | 218i F22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s−2,20 s | 9,44 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s−1,60 s | 17,00 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s−0,94 s | 30,74 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 205 km/h−55 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,68 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 (120 Ah) I01 | 218i F22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,88 s | 2,30 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,14 s | 3,85 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,25 s | 6,75 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,24 s | 9,44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,85 s | 12,97 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 24,54 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 66,35 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,40 s | 17,00 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,80 s | 30,74 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 205 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 | 140 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (7-speed Steptronic with double clutch) |
Off the line, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 9.44 s for the Bmw 218i. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) leads by 2.20 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) is doing 122 km/h against 111 km/h for the Bmw 218i. The gap is 1.10 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 16.99 s. The 1.59 s gap represents roughly 59 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Bmw i3 (120 Ah) maxes out at 150 km/h while the Bmw 218i keeps accelerating towards 205 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 1.74 s from 1.59 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) finishes in 29.80 s versus 30.73 s, with just 0.94 s to spare. The Bmw 218i fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) is capped at 150 km/h, the Bmw 218i at 205 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 15.17 seconds. The 2.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 9,44 s).
i3 (120 Ah) I01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i3 (120 Ah) I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp. 218i F22: 140 hp, ratio 9,68 kg/hp.
i3 (120 Ah) I01: 150 km/h. 218i F22: 205 km/h.