Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F40 wins (6,91 s vs 7,54 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Leon e-Hybrid | 120i F40 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.54 s | 6.91 s | 0.63 s · 120i F40 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.48 s | 15.02 s | 0.46 s · 120i F40 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.56 s | 27.09 s | 0.47 s · 120i F40 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 235 km/h | 10 km/h · 120i F40 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6.76 kg/hp | 7.81 kg/hp | better ratio · Leon e-Hybrid |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Leon e-Hybrid | 120i F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.12 s | 1.76 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.54 s | 2.94 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.71 s | 4.96 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.54 s | 6.91 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.72 s | 9.21 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16.35 s | 16.06 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29.36 s | 27.89 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.48 s | 15.02 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.56 s | 27.09 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 235 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 | 241 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 630 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DSG |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 178 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 280 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 390 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission |
Off the line, the 120i hits 100 km/h in 6.91 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 178 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 120i leads by 0.63 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 120i is doing 124 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.51 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 120i crosses the line in 15.02 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.46 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120i finishes in 27.09 s versus 27.56 s, with a 0.47 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon e-Hybrid is capped at 225 km/h, the 120i at 235 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 11.03 seconds. The 0.63 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F40 wins (6,91 s vs 7,54 s).
Leon e-Hybrid goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leon e-Hybrid: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. 120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp.
Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. 120i F40: 235 km/h.