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ALeonPHEVvsBCooperPetrol
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  • SpecsLeon · Cooper

Cupra Leon e-Hybrid vs MINI Cooper S FWD: 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 2024 · Methodology
CupraPHEV

Leon e-Hybrid

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2020

VS
MINIPetrolFaster

Cooper S FWD

204 hp · 300 Nm · 1,195 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Leon e-Hybrid

7.54 s

Gap0.98 sin favour of Cooper S FWD
BMINI Cooper S FWD

6.56 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureLeon e-HybridCooper S FWDGap
0–100 km/h7.54 s6.56 s0.98 s · Cooper S FWD
400 m standing start15.48 s14.62 s0.86 s · Cooper S FWD
1,000 m standing start27.56 s26.03 s1.53 s · Cooper S FWD
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h250 km/h25 km/h · Cooper S FWD
Power-to-weight ratio6.76 kg/hp5.86 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cooper S FWD

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
MINIPetrolCooper S FWD
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-HybridCooper S FWD
0–30 km/h2.12 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h3.54 s3.14 s
0–80 km/h5.71 s4.99 s
0–100 km/h7.54 s6.56 s
0–120 km/h9.72 s8.41 s
0–160 km/h16.35 s13.79 s
0–200 km/h29.36 s22.98 s
400 m standing start15.48 s14.62 s
1,000 m standing start27.56 s26.03 s
Top speed limited225 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

Leon e-Hybrid

6,76kg/hpcompensated by −435 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG
MINI

Cooper S FWD

5,86kg/hpratio better by 0,91 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 195 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed DCT

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Cooper S FWD hits 100 km/h in 6.56 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 204 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Cooper S FWD leads by 0.98 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Cooper S FWD is doing 132 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.60 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper S FWD crosses the line in 14.62 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.86 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Cooper S FWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cooper S FWD finishes in 26.02 s versus 27.56 s, with a 1.53 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Leon e-Hybrid never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 0.98 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Polo GTI vs Cooper S FWD

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208 GTi 30th 208 vs Cooper S FWD

MINIVSRenault

Cooper S FWD vs Clio 3 RS 200

MINIVSRenault

Cooper S FWD vs Clio 4 RS 200

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper S FWD wins (6,56 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. Cooper S FWD: 204 hp, ratio 5,86 kg/hp.

Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. Cooper S FWD: 250 km/h.