DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8 vs BMW i3 I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.76 s for the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The instant torque of 250 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i3 leads by 0.52 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the i3 is doing 122 km/h against 126 km/h for the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The gap is 0.46 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.21 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The i3 maxes out at 150 km/h while the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 keeps accelerating towards 245 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.33 s.

Around 499 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 95 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 finishes in 27.41 s versus 29.80 s. The 2.39 s delta in favour of the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Electronically capped at 150 km/h, the i3 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 11.47 seconds. The 0.52 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.