Over 0–100 km/h, Leaf 40kWh ZE1 wins (8,05 s vs 10,10 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
8.05 s
10.10 s
| Measure | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.05 s | 10.10 s | 2.05 s · Leaf 40kWh ZE1 |
| 400 m standing start | 16.04 s | 17.52 s | 1.48 s · Leaf 40kWh ZE1 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31.05 s | 31.24 s | 0.19 s · Leaf 40kWh ZE1 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 144 km/h | 180 km/h | 36 km/h · Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 10.53 kg/hp | 10.35 kg/hp | better ratio · Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Leaf 40kWh ZE1 | Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.90 s | 2.69 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.17 s | 4.41 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.65 s | 7.39 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.05 s | 10.10 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 11.27 s | 13.65 s |
| 0–160 km/h | - | 24.92 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16.04 s | 17.52 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 31.05 s | 31.24 s |
| Top speed | 144 km/h | 180 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 | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 579 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | single-speed reduction |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 143 hp | Inline-4 Atkinson cycle E-Tech (HR16) |
| Torque | 205 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 480 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Multi-mode automatic (E-Tech) |
Off the line, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 hits 100 km/h in 8.05 s versus 10.10 s for the Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145. The instant torque of 320 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 leads by 2.05 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is doing 116 km/h against 110 km/h for the Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145. The gap is 1.27 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 17.52 s. The 1.48 s gap represents roughly 55 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Leaf 40kWh ZE1 maxes out at 144 km/h while the Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 keeps accelerating towards 180 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 1.41 s.
At 1,000 metres, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 finishes in 31.05 s versus 31.23 s, with just 0.19 s to spare. The Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 is capped at 144 km/h, the Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145 at 180 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 15.82 seconds. The 2.05 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 10,10 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. Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145: 143 hp, ratio 10,35 kg/hp.
Leaf 40kWh ZE1: 144 km/h. Clio 5 E-Tech Hybrid 145: 180 km/h.