Over 0–100 km/h, 120d xDrive F40 wins (7,13 s vs 7,45 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Leon VZe | 120d xDrive F40 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.45 s | 7.13 s | 0.32 s · 120d xDrive F40 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.42 s | 15.21 s | 0.21 s · 120d xDrive F40 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.49 s | 28.00 s | 0.51 s · Leon VZe |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 228 km/h | 3 km/h · 120d xDrive F40 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6.76 kg/hp | 7.97 kg/hp | better ratio · Leon VZe |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Leon VZe | 120d xDrive F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.08 s | 1.50 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.48 s | 2.54 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.63 s | 4.93 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.45 s | 7.13 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.63 s | 9.98 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16.26 s | 18.51 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29.27 s | 35.95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.42 s | 15.21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.49 s | 28.00 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 228 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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 120d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.13 s versus 7.45 s for the Leon VZe. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 120d xDrive leads by 0.32 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 120d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 126 km/h for the Leon VZe. The gap is 0.50 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the 120d xDrive crosses the line in 15.21 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.20 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 225 km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 225 km/h.
At 1,000 metres, the Leon VZe finishes in 27.49 s versus 27.99 s. The 0.51 s delta in favour of the Leon VZe shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
The 120d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Leon VZe’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon VZe is capped at 225 km/h, the 120d xDrive at 230 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 11.69 seconds. The 0.32 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120d xDrive F40 wins (7,13 s vs 7,45 s).
Leon VZe goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leon VZe: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. 120d xDrive F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp.
Leon VZe: 225 km/h. 120d xDrive F40: 228 km/h.