MINI John Cooper Works FWD vs BYD Atto 3 Extended Range: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the John Cooper Works FWD hits 100 km/h in 6.21 s versus 7.41 s for the Atto 3 Extended Range. Despite lacking instant torque, 231 hp of power compensates. At this point, the John Cooper Works FWD leads by 1.20 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD is doing 137 km/h against 121 km/h for the Atto 3 Extended Range. The gap is 0.65 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the John Cooper Works FWD crosses the line in 14.26 s versus 15.57 s. The 1.31 s gap represents roughly 53 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD finishes in 25.29 s versus 29.19 s, with a 3.90 s lead.

Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the Atto 3 Extended Range 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 11.71 seconds. The 1.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.