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A9vsBLeonPHEV
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  • Specs9 · Leon

DS9 E-Tense 250 vs Cupra Leon VZe: 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.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2023 · Methodology
DSPHEV

9 E-Tense 250

253 hp · 520 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
CupraPHEVFaster

Leon VZe

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2023

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS9 E-Tense 250

8.36 s

Gap0.91 sin favour of Leon VZe
BCupra Leon VZe

7.45 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure9 E-Tense 250Leon VZeGap
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.45 s0.91 s · Leon VZe
400 m standing start16.22 s15.42 s0.80 s · Leon VZe
1,000 m standing start28.57 s27.49 s1.08 s · Leon VZe
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h225 km/h10 km/h · 9 E-Tense 250
Power-to-weight ratio7.51 kg/hp6.76 kg/hpbetter ratio · Leon VZe

Watch the race

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

DSPHEV9 E-Tense 250
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraPHEVLeon VZe
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.
Stage9 E-Tense 250Leon VZe
0–30 km/h2.40 s2.08 s
0–50 km/h4.01 s3.48 s
0–80 km/h6.47 s5.63 s
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.45 s
0–120 km/h10.88 s9.63 s
0–160 km/h18.12 s16.26 s
0–200 km/h31.70 s29.27 s
400 m standing start16.22 s15.42 s
1,000 m standing start28.57 s27.49 s
Top speed235 km/h225 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

9 E-Tense 250

7,51kg/hpcompensated by −270 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power253 hpPending
Torque520 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
Cupra

Leon VZe

6,76kg/hpratio better by 0,75 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Leon VZe hits 100 km/h in 7.45 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. At this point, the Leon VZe leads by 0.91 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Leon VZe is doing 126 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.64 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Leon VZe crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.80 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

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 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Leon VZe finishes in 27.49 s versus 28.57 s, with a 1.08 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (235 vs 225 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Leon VZe 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.

With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.51 kg/hp vs 6.76 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.32 seconds. The 0.91 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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E-Tense 250 vs 530e iPerformance

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E-Tense 250 vs 530i

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E-Tense 250 vs 530i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Leon VZe wins (7,45 s vs 8,36 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. Leon VZe: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp.

9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. Leon VZe: 225 km/h.