Citroen C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 vs BMW 116i F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 hits 100 km/h in 8.57 s versus 10.51 s for the 116i. The instant torque of 230 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 leads by 1.94 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 is doing 116 km/h against 104 km/h for the 116i. The gap is 0.46 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 crosses the line in 16.38 s versus 17.50 s. The 1.12 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 144 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 finishes in 29.52 s versus 32.08 s, with a 2.56 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (205 vs 200 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the C3 Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 is capped at 205 km/h, the 116i at 200 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 17.85 seconds. The 1.94 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.