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

Cupra Leon VZe vs BMW 220i F22: 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 · 2023 vs 2018 · Methodology
CupraPHEV

Leon VZe

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2023

VS
BMWPetrol

220i F22

192 hp · 280 Nm · 1,405 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Leon VZe

7.45 s

Gap0.03 sNot a significant gap
BBMW 220i F22

7.48 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureLeon VZe220i F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.45 s7.48 s0.03 s · Leon VZe
400 m standing start15.42 s15.53 s0.11 s · Leon VZe
1,000 m standing start27.49 s27.74 s0.25 s · Leon VZe
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h229 km/h4 km/h · 220i F22
Power-to-weight ratio6.76 kg/hp7.32 kg/hpbetter ratio · Leon VZe

Watch the race

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

CupraPHEVLeon VZe
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol220i F22
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 VZe220i F22
0–30 km/h2.08 s · tight gap2.14 s
0–50 km/h3.48 s · tight gap3.53 s
0–80 km/h5.63 s · tight gap5.65 s
0–100 km/h7.45 s · tight gap7.48 s
0–120 km/h9.63 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h16.26 s16.83 s
0–200 km/h29.27 s30.20 s
400 m standing start15.42 s · tight gap15.53 s
1,000 m standing start27.49 s27.74 s
Top speed225 km/h229 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 VZe

6,76kg/hpratio better by 0,55 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG
BMW

220i F22

7,32kg/hpcompensated by −225 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power192 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 405 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic with double clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Leon VZe hits 100 km/h in 7.45 s versus 7.48 s for the 220i. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.03 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Leon VZe is doing 126 km/h against 124 km/h for the 220i. The gap is 0.05 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Leon VZe crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 15.53 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Leon VZe continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Leon VZe finishes in 27.49 s versus 27.73 s, with a 0.25 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 229 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon VZe is capped at 225 km/h, the 220i at 229 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 11.25 seconds. The 0.03 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, Leon VZe and 220i F22 are neck and neck (7,45 s vs 7,48 s, no significant gap).

Leon VZe goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Leon VZe: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. 220i F22: 192 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp.

Leon VZe: 225 km/h. 220i F22: 229 km/h.