Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 9,90 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Cooper SE FWD | A3 Sportback | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.32 s | 9.90 s | 2.58 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 17.23 s | 1.77 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.86 s | 31.34 s | 1.48 s · Cooper SE FWD |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 209 km/h | 59 km/h · A3 Sportback |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.42 kg/hp | 11.68 kg/hp | better ratio · Cooper SE FWD |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Cooper SE FWD | A3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.03 s | 2.22 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.40 s | 3.75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.51 s | 6.86 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.32 s | 9.90 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.71 s | 13.90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 26.77 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 64.77 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.46 s | 17.23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29.86 s | 31.34 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 209 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 | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 9.90 s for the A3 Sportback. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Cooper SE FWD leads by 2.58 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cooper SE FWD is doing 124 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sportback. The gap is 1.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper SE FWD crosses the line in 15.46 s versus 17.23 s. The 1.77 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Cooper SE FWD maxes out at 150 km/h while the A3 Sportback keeps accelerating towards 209 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 2.06 s from 1.77 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the Cooper SE FWD finishes in 29.86 s versus 31.33 s, with just 1.48 s to spare. The A3 Sportback fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 150 km/h, the Cooper SE FWD 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 16.37 seconds. The 2.58 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 9,90 s).
Cooper SE FWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,32 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cooper SE FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,42 kg/hp. A3 Sportback: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.
Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h. A3 Sportback: 209 km/h.