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  • Specs4 · Born

DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8 vs Cupra Born: 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 · 2021 vs 2021 · Methodology
DSPetrol

4 PureTech 225 EAT8

228 hp · 300 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2021

VS
CupraBEVFaster

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS4 PureTech 225 EAT8

7.76 s

Gap0.53 sin favour of Born
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure4 PureTech 225 EAT8BornGap
0–100 km/h7.76 s7.23 s0.53 s · Born
400 m standing start15.61 s15.39 s0.22 s · Born
1,000 m standing start27.41 s28.98 s1.57 s · 4 PureTech 225 EAT8
Top speed (electronically limited)245 km/h160 km/h85 km/h · 4 PureTech 225 EAT8
Power-to-weight ratio6.49 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · 4 PureTech 225 EAT8

Watch the race

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

DSPetrol4 PureTech 225 EAT8
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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.
Stage4 PureTech 225 EAT8Born
0–30 km/h2.26 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h3.79 s3.15 s
0–80 km/h5.98 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h7.76 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h9.81 s9.79 s · tight gap
0–160 km/h15.84 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h26.53 s-
400 m standing start15.61 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start27.41 s28.98 s
Top speed245 km/h160 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.

DS

4 PureTech 225 EAT8

6,49kg/hpratio better by 2,02 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power228 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −230 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Born hits 100 km/h in 7.23 s versus 7.76 s for the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The instant torque of 310 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Born leads by 0.53 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Born 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 Born crosses the line in 15.39 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.22 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Born maxes out at 160 km/h while the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 keeps accelerating towards 245 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.12 s.

Around 543 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 85 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 finishes in 27.41 s versus 28.98 s. The 1.57 s delta in favour of the 4 PureTech 225 EAT8 shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the Born 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 11.41 seconds. The 0.53 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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DS4VSMercedes

PureTech 225 EAT8 vs A 250

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Born wins (7,23 s vs 7,76 s).

4 PureTech 225 EAT8 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,76 seconds (calibrated simulation).

4 PureTech 225 EAT8: 228 hp, ratio 6,49 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

4 PureTech 225 EAT8: 245 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.