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Ai3sBEVvsB216iPetrol
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  • Specsi3s · 216i

BMW i3s I01 vs BMW 216i F44: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2018 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i3s I01

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,290 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

216i F44

109 hp · 190 Nm · 1,365 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i3s I01

6.81 s

Gap4.27 sin favour of i3s
BBMW 216i F44

11.08 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei3s I01216i F44Gap
0–100 km/h6.81 s11.08 s4.27 s · i3s I01
400 m standing start15.05 s17.78 s2.73 s · i3s I01
1,000 m standing start28.59 s32.83 s4.24 s · i3s I01
Top speed (electronically limited)160 km/h189 km/h29 km/h · 216i F44
Power-to-weight ratio7.01 kg/hp12.52 kg/hpbetter ratio · i3s I01

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWBEVi3s I01
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol216i F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stagei3s I01216i F44
0–30 km/h1.77 s2.03 s
0–50 km/h2.96 s3.59 s
0–80 km/h4.95 s7.39 s
0–100 km/h6.81 s11.08 s
0–120 km/h9.25 s16.11 s
0–160 km/h16.98 s34.47 s
400 m standing start15.05 s17.78 s
1,000 m standing start28.59 s32.83 s
Top speed160 km/h189 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

i3s I01

7,01kg/hpratio better by 5,51 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 290 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1)
BMW

216i F44

12,52kg/hpcompensated by −75 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hp3 cyl
Torque190 Nm
Weight1 365 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i3s hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 11.08 s for the 216i. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3s leads by 4.27 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i3s is doing 124 km/h against 102 km/h for the 216i. The gap is 1.61 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i3s crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 17.78 s. The 2.74 s gap represents roughly 92 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i3s continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 140 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i3s finishes in 28.59 s versus 32.82 s, with a 4.23 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (189 km/h), the 216i never recovers its launch deficit.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i3s is capped at 160 km/h, the 216i at 190 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 19.32 seconds. The 4.27 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 11,08 s).

i3s I01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp. 216i F44: 109 hp, ratio 12,52 kg/hp.

i3s I01: 160 km/h. 216i F44: 189 km/h.