Over 0–100 km/h, 9 E-Tense 250 wins (8,36 s vs 8,78 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 9 E-Tense 250 | 218i Steptronic F44 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.36 s | 8.78 s | 0.42 s · 9 E-Tense 250 |
| 400 m standing start | 16.22 s | 16.44 s | 0.22 s · 9 E-Tense 250 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.57 s | 29.97 s | 1.40 s · 9 E-Tense 250 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 235 km/h | 210 km/h | 25 km/h · 9 E-Tense 250 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.51 kg/hp | 10.55 kg/hp | better ratio · 9 E-Tense 250 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 9 E-Tense 250 | 218i Steptronic F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.40 s | 1.90 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 4.01 s | 3.25 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6.47 s | 6.13 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.36 s | 8.78 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.88 s | 12.26 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18.12 s | 22.94 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 31.70 s | 48.38 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16.22 s | 16.44 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.57 s | 29.97 s |
| Top speed | 235 km/h | 210 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 | 253 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 520 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 435 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 9 E-Tense 250 hits 100 km/h in 8.36 s versus 8.78 s for the 218i Steptronic. The instant torque of 520 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 218i Steptronic is 12 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the 218i Steptronic is doing 112 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.25 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 9 E-Tense 250 crosses the line in 16.22 s versus 16.44 s. The 0.22 s gap represents roughly 8 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 29.97 s, with a 1.40 s lead.
Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the 218i Steptronic 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 14.37 seconds. The 0.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 9 E-Tense 250 wins (8,36 s vs 8,78 s).
9 E-Tense 250 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).
9 E-Tense 250: 253 hp, ratio 7,51 kg/hp. 218i Steptronic F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,55 kg/hp.
9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. 218i Steptronic F44: 210 km/h.