Over 0–100 km/h, Civic wins (7,65 s vs 8,05 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Civic | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.65 s | 8.05 s | 0.40 s · Civic |
| 400 m standing start | 15.65 s | 16.04 s | 0.39 s · Civic |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.30 s | 31.05 s | 2.75 s · Civic |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 210 km/h | 144 km/h | 66 km/h · Civic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.56 kg/hp | 10.53 kg/hp | better ratio · Civic |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Civic | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.99 s | 1.90 s · tight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.33 s | 3.17 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.59 s · tight gap | 5.65 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.65 s | 8.05 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.19 s | 11.27 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18.22 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 38.55 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15.65 s | 16.04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.30 s | 31.05 s |
| Top speed | 210 km/h | 144 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 | 178 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 315 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 345 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | CVT |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 579 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | single-speed reduction |
Off the line, the Civic hits 100 km/h in 7.65 s versus 8.05 s for the Leaf 40kWh ZE1. Despite lacking instant torque, 178 hp of power compensates. Despite the faster sprint time, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is 1 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Civic is doing 121 km/h against 116 km/h for the Leaf 40kWh ZE1. The gap is 0.08 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Civic crosses the line in 15.65 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.38 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Civic continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 144 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Civic finishes in 28.30 s versus 31.05 s, with a 2.75 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Civic is capped at 210 km/h, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 at 144 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 13.39 seconds. The 0.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Civic wins (7,65 s vs 8,05 s).
Civic goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Civic: 178 hp, ratio 7,56 kg/hp. Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 150 hp, ratio 10,53 kg/hp.
Civic: 210 km/h. Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 144 km/h.