Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD and i3 I01 are neck and neck (7,24 s vs 7,32 s, no significant gap).
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 | i3 I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,32 s | 7,24 s+0,08 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 15,40 s+0,06 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,86 s | 29,80 s+0,06 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 150 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,42 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 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 | i3 I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,03 s | 1,88 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,40 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,51 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,32 s | 7,24 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,71 s | 9,85 stight gap |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 15,40 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 29,86 s | 29,80 stight gap |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 150 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 | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the i3 hits 100 km/h in 7.24 s versus 7.32 s for the Cooper SE FWD. The 0.08 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the i3 is doing 122 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper SE FWD. The gap is 0.14 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the i3 crosses the line in 15.40 s versus 15.46 s. The 0.06 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, nothing changes. Same ceiling, same acceleration, same trajectory - both rivals run in formation to the line. The 0.06 s gap at 1,000 metres confirms what the specs already suggested: on track, they’re interchangeable. The real contest happens elsewhere - range, comfort, charging network reliability.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Cooper SE FWD and the i3 are governed to 150 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.42 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 0.08 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD and i3 I01 are neck and neck (7,24 s vs 7,32 s, no significant gap).
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. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.