Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,54 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.
| Leon e-Hybrid | i3 (120 Ah) I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,24 s+0,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,40 s+0,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s−2,24 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h+75 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,76 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 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 | Leon e-Hybrid | i3 (120 Ah) I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,12 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,54 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,71 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,24 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,72 s | 9,85 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,35 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,36 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,40 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed | 225 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 | 241 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 630 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DSG |
| 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) |
Off the line, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. At this point, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) leads by 0.30 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) is doing 122 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.27 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.08 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw i3 (120 Ah) maxes out at 150 km/h while the Leon e-Hybrid keeps accelerating towards 225 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.37 s.
Around 458 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Leon e-Hybrid overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 75 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Leon e-Hybrid finishes in 27.56 s versus 29.80 s. The 2.24 s delta in favour of the Leon e-Hybrid shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon e-Hybrid is capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) 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 (6.76 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 0.30 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.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3 (120 Ah) I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,54 s).
Leon e-Hybrid goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leon e-Hybrid: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. i3 (120 Ah) I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. i3 (120 Ah) I01: 150 km/h.