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ALeonPHEVvsB220iPetrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsLeon · 220i

Cupra Leon e-Hybrid vs BMW 220i Gran Coupe F44: 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 2020 · Methodology
CupraPHEV

Leon e-Hybrid

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2020

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

220i Gran Coupe F44

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Leon e-Hybrid

7.54 s

Gap0.50 sin favour of 220i Gran Coupe
BBMW 220i Gran Coupe F44

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureLeon e-Hybrid220i Gran Coupe F44Gap
0–100 km/h7.54 s7.04 s0.50 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
400 m standing start15.48 s15.12 s0.36 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
1,000 m standing start27.56 s27.43 s0.13 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h238 km/h13 km/h · 220i Gran Coupe F44
Power-to-weight ratio6.76 kg/hp8.03 kg/hpbetter ratio · Leon e-Hybrid

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
BMWPetrol220i Gran Coupe F44
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-Hybrid220i Gran Coupe F44
0–30 km/h2.12 s1.63 s
0–50 km/h3.54 s2.76 s
0–80 km/h5.71 s4.95 s
0–100 km/h7.54 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h9.72 s9.52 s
0–160 km/h16.35 s16.92 s
0–200 km/h29.36 s29.73 s
400 m standing start15.48 s15.12 s
1,000 m standing start27.56 s27.43 s · tight gap
Top speed225 km/h238 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/hpratio better by 1,27 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG
BMW

220i Gran Coupe F44

8,03kg/hpcompensated by −200 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 220i Gran Coupe hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 178 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 220i Gran Coupe leads by 0.50 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220i Gran Coupe is doing 122 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.52 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220i Gran Coupe crosses the line in 15.11 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.37 s gap represents roughly 16 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Leon e-Hybrid maxes out at 225 km/h while the 220i Gran Coupe keeps accelerating towards 238 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.26 s from 0.37 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the 220i Gran Coupe finishes in 27.42 s versus 27.56 s, with just 0.13 s to spare. The Leon e-Hybrid fails to fully close the launch gap.

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 220i Gran Coupe at 238 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 11.19 seconds. The 0.50 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, 220i Gran Coupe F44 wins (7,04 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. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 178 hp, ratio 8,03 kg/hp.

Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 238 km/h.