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ABornBEVvsB230iPetrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsBorn · 230i

Cupra Born VZ vs BMW 230i F22: 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 2018 · Methodology
CupraBEV

Born VZ

308 hp · 310 Nm · 1,748 kg · 2022

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

230i F22

252 hp · 350 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Born VZ

5.73 s

Gap0.22 sin favour of 230i
BBMW 230i F22

5.51 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureBorn VZ230i F22Gap
0–100 km/h5.73 s5.51 s0.22 s · 230i F22
400 m standing start13.96 s13.88 s0.08 s · 230i F22
1,000 m standing start27.45 s25.28 s2.17 s · 230i F22
Top speed (electronically limited)160 km/h250 km/h90 km/h · 230i F22
Power-to-weight ratio5.68 kg/hp5.67 kg/hpbetter ratio · 230i F22

Watch the race

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

CupraBEVBorn VZ
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol230i F22
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.
StageBorn VZ230i F22
0–30 km/h1.67 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h2.79 s2.29 s
0–80 km/h4.50 s3.99 s
0–100 km/h5.73 s5.51 s
0–120 km/h7.31 s7.53 s
0–160 km/h12.29 s13.14 s
0–200 km/h-22.07 s
400 m standing start13.96 s13.88 s · tight gap
1,000 m standing start27.45 s25.28 s
Top speed limited160 km/h250 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.

Cupra

Born VZ

5,68kg/hpcompensated by −318 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power308 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 748 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

230i F22

5,67kg/hpratio better by 0,00 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 230i hits 100 km/h in 5.51 s versus 5.73 s for the Born VZ. Despite lacking instant torque, 252 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 230i leads by 0.22 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 230i is doing 133 km/h against 138 km/h for the Born VZ. The gap is 0.22 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 230i crosses the line in 13.87 s versus 13.96 s. The 0.08 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 230i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 230i finishes in 25.28 s versus 27.45 s, with a 2.17 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Born VZ is capped at 160 km/h, the 230i at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 8.62 seconds. The 0.22 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, 230i F22 wins (5,51 s vs 5,73 s).

Born VZ goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Born VZ: 308 hp, ratio 5,68 kg/hp. 230i F22: 252 hp, ratio 5,67 kg/hp.

Born VZ: 160 km/h. 230i F22: 250 km/h.