Over 0–100 km/h, i3 I01 wins (7,24 s vs 7,70 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | i3 I01 | Cooper C FWD | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.24 s | 7.70 s | 0.46 s · i3 I01 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.40 s | 15.68 s | 0.28 s · i3 I01 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.80 s | 28.07 s | 1.73 s · Cooper C FWD |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 230 km/h | 80 km/h · Cooper C FWD |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.47 kg/hp | 7.47 kg/hp | better ratio · Cooper C FWD |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | i3 I01 | Cooper C FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.88 s | 2.08 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.14 s | 3.48 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.25 s | 5.68 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.24 s | 7.70 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.85 s | 10.14 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 17.52 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 32.20 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.40 s | 15.68 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.80 s | 28.07 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 230 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 | 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 | 156 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 230 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 165 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed DCT |
Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.70 s for the Cooper C FWD. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3 leads by 0.46 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the i3 is doing 122 km/h against 122 km/h for the Cooper C FWD. The gap is 0.32 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.67 s. The 0.27 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The i3 maxes out at 150 km/h while the Cooper C FWD keeps accelerating towards 230 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.06 s.
Around 576 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Cooper C FWD overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 80 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Cooper C FWD finishes in 28.06 s versus 29.80 s. The 1.73 s delta in favour of the Cooper C FWD shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Electronically capped at 150 km/h, the i3 never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
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 11.61 seconds. The 0.46 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 7,70 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. Cooper C FWD: 156 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
i3 I01: 150 km/h. Cooper C FWD: 230 km/h.