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ALeonPHEVvsB125dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsLeon · 125d

Cupra Leon e-Hybrid vs BMW 125d F20LCI: 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 · 2020 vs 2018 · Methodology
CupraPHEV

Leon e-Hybrid

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDieselFaster

125d F20LCI

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Leon e-Hybrid

7.54 s

Gap1.06 sin favour of 125d
BBMW 125d F20LCI

6.48 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureLeon e-Hybrid125d F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h7.54 s6.48 s1.06 s · 125d F20LCI
400 m standing start15.48 s14.68 s0.80 s · 125d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start27.56 s26.40 s1.16 s · 125d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h240 km/h15 km/h · 125d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio6.76 kg/hp6.61 kg/hpbetter ratio · 125d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

CupraPHEVLeon e-Hybrid
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel125d F20LCI
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.
StageLeon e-Hybrid125d F20LCI
0–30 km/h2.12 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h3.54 s3.03 s
0–80 km/h5.71 s4.83 s
0–100 km/h7.54 s6.48 s
0–120 km/h9.72 s8.57 s
0–160 km/h16.35 s14.58 s
0–200 km/h29.36 s25.23 s
400 m standing start15.48 s14.68 s
1,000 m standing start27.56 s26.40 s
Top speed225 km/h240 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

Leon e-Hybrid

6,76kg/hpcompensated by −150 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG
BMW

125d F20LCI

6,61kg/hpratio better by 0,16 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 125d hits 100 km/h in 6.48 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 224 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 125d leads by 1.06 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 125d is doing 130 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.65 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 125d crosses the line in 14.67 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.81 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 125d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 125d finishes in 26.39 s versus 27.56 s, with a 1.16 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon e-Hybrid is capped at 225 km/h, the 125d at 240 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 1.06 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sportback

BMWVSMercedes

125d vs A 200 d

BMWVSHyundai

125d vs i30 1.6 CRDi 48V 136 ch

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 125d F20LCI wins (6,48 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. 125d F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,61 kg/hp.

Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. 125d F20LCI: 240 km/h.