Over 0–100 km/h, Leaf 40kWh ZE1 wins (8,05 s vs 8,95 s).
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.
| Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | 218i F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,05 s−0,90 s | 8,95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,04 s−0,49 s | 16,53 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31,05 s | 30,07 s+0,98 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 144 km/h | 210 km/h−66 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 10,53 kg/hp | 10,40 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | 218i F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,90 s | 1,96 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,17 s | 3,28 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,65 s | 6,30 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,05 s | 8,95 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11,27 s | 12,34 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 23,03 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 48,47 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,04 s | 16,53 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31,05 s | 30,07 s |
| Top speed | 144 km/h | 210 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 579 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | single-speed reduction |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 415 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission) |
Off the line, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 hits 100 km/h in 8.05 s versus 8.95 s for the Bmw 218i. The instant torque of 320 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 leads by 0.90 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is doing 116 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 218i. The gap is 0.36 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 crosses the line in 16.03 s versus 16.53 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Leaf 40kWh ZE1 maxes out at 144 km/h while the Bmw 218i keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.37 s.
Around 748 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 218i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 66 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 218i finishes in 30.06 s versus 31.05 s. The 0.99 s delta in favour of the Bmw 218i shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is capped at 144 km/h, the Bmw 218i at 210 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 14.54 seconds. The 0.90 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Leaf 40kWh ZE1 wins (8,05 s vs 8,95 s).
Leaf 40kWh ZE1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,05 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 150 hp, ratio 10,53 kg/hp. 218i F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,40 kg/hp.
Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 144 km/h. 218i F44: 210 km/h.