Over 0–100 km/h, Civic e:HEV and Leaf 40kWh ZE1 are neck and neck (8,04 s vs 8,05 s, no significant gap).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Civic e:HEV | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,04 s−0,01 s | 8,05 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,94 s−0,10 s | 16,04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,45 s−2,60 s | 31,05 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 180 km/h+36 km/h | 144 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,49 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,53 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Civic e:HEV | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,25 s | 1,90 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,75 s | 3,17 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,16 s | 5,65 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,04 s | 8,05 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,57 s | 11,27 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,70 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,94 s | 16,04 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,45 s | 31,05 s |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 144 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 181 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 315 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | e-CVT (Honda i-MMD) |
| 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 e:HEV hits 100 km/h in 8.04 s versus 8.05 s for the Leaf 40kWh ZE1. Despite lacking instant torque, 181 hp of power compensates. The 0.01 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is doing 116 km/h against 121 km/h for the Civic e:HEV. The gap is 0.27 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Civic e:HEV crosses the line in 15.94 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.09 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Civic e:HEV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 144 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Civic e:HEV finishes in 28.45 s versus 31.05 s, with a 2.60 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Civic e:HEV is capped at 180 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 0.01 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Civic e:HEV and Leaf 40kWh ZE1 are neck and neck (8,04 s vs 8,05 s, no significant gap).
Civic e:HEV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Civic e:HEV: 181 hp, ratio 7,49 kg/hp. Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 150 hp, ratio 10,53 kg/hp.
Civic e:HEV: 180 km/h. Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 144 km/h.