Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,95 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | i3s I01 | 218i F44 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6.81 s | 8.95 s | 2.14 s · i3s I01 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.05 s | 16.53 s | 1.48 s · i3s I01 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.59 s | 30.07 s | 1.48 s · i3s I01 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 160 km/h | 210 km/h | 50 km/h · 218i F44 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.01 kg/hp | 10.40 kg/hp | better ratio · i3s I01 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | i3s I01 | 218i F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.77 s | 1.96 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.96 s | 3.28 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.95 s | 6.30 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.81 s | 8.95 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.25 s | 12.34 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16.98 s | 23.03 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 48.47 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.05 s | 16.53 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.59 s | 30.07 s |
| Top speed | 160 km/h | 210 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 | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 415 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission) |
Off the line, the i3s hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 8.95 s for the 218i. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3s leads by 2.14 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the i3s is doing 124 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218i. The gap is 0.93 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3s crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 16.53 s. The 1.48 s gap represents roughly 56 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the i3s continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i3s finishes in 28.59 s versus 30.06 s, with a 1.47 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (210 km/h), the 218i never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i3s is capped at 160 km/h, the 218i at 210 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 14.54 seconds. The 2.14 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, i3s I01 wins (6,81 s vs 8,95 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. 218i F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,40 kg/hp.
i3s I01: 160 km/h. 218i F44: 210 km/h.