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AM240iPetrolvsBBornBEV
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsM240i · Born

BMW M240i Coupé G42 vs Cupra Born: 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 · 2022 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M240i Coupé G42

374 hp · 500 Nm · 1,635 kg · 2022

VS
CupraBEV

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M240i Coupé G42

4.68 s

Gap2.55 sin favour of M240i Coupé
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM240i Coupé G42BornGap
0–100 km/h4.68 s7.23 s2.55 s · M240i Coupé G42
400 m standing start12.71 s15.39 s2.68 s · M240i Coupé G42
1,000 m standing start22.72 s28.98 s6.26 s · M240i Coupé G42
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · M240i Coupé G42
Power-to-weight ratio4.37 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · M240i Coupé G42

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM240i Coupé G42
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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.
StageM240i Coupé G42Born
0–30 km/h1.33 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.21 s3.15 s
0–80 km/h3.51 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h4.68 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h6.01 s9.79 s
0–160 km/h9.55 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h14.72 s-
400 m standing start12.71 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start22.72 s28.98 s
Top speed limited250 km/h160 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

M240i Coupé G42

4,37kg/hpratio better by 4,14 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power374 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 635 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −75 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M240i Coupé hits 100 km/h in 4.68 s versus 7.23 s for the Born. Despite lacking instant torque, 374 hp of power compensates. At this point, the M240i Coupé leads by 2.55 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M240i Coupé is doing 149 km/h against 122 km/h for the Born. The gap is 1.69 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M240i Coupé crosses the line in 12.70 s versus 15.39 s. The 2.69 s gap represents roughly 107 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M240i Coupé continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 210 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M240i Coupé finishes in 22.71 s versus 28.98 s, with a 6.27 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M240i Coupé is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Born at 160 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 11.41 seconds. The 2.55 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, M240i Coupé G42 wins (4,68 s vs 7,23 s).

M240i Coupé G42 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,68 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M240i Coupé G42: 374 hp, ratio 4,37 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

M240i Coupé G42: 250 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.