Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 9,45 s).
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.
| Cooper SE FWD | 218i Convertible F22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,32 s−2,13 s | 9,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s−1,35 s | 16,81 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,86 s−1,16 s | 31,02 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 207 km/h−57 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,42 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,03 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 | Cooper SE FWD | 218i Convertible F22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,03 s | 1,53 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,40 s | 3,05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,51 s | 6,46 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,32 s | 9,45 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,71 s | 13,93 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 27,12 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 61,53 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 16,81 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,86 s | 31,02 s |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 207 km/h |
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 | 136 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 500 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic) |
Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 9.45 s for the 218i Convertible. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 2.13 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Cooper SE FWD is doing 124 km/h against 107 km/h for the 218i Convertible. The gap is 0.50 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 16.81 s. The 1.35 s gap represents roughly 48 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 218i Convertible keeps accelerating towards 207 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 1.66 s from 1.35 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the Cooper SE FWD finishes in 29.86 s versus 31.02 s, with just 1.16 s to spare. The 218i Convertible fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Cooper SE FWD is capped at 150 km/h, the 218i Convertible at 207 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 16.40 seconds. The 2.13 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 9,45 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. 218i Convertible F22: 136 hp, ratio 11,03 kg/hp.
Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h. 218i Convertible F22: 207 km/h.