Peugeot e-208 156 Phase 2 vs BMW 118d xDrive F20LCI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the e-208 156 Phase 2 hits 100 km/h in 8.12 s versus 8.62 s for the 118d xDrive. The instant torque of 260 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 118d xDrive is 8 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the 118d xDrive is doing 112 km/h against 119 km/h for the e-208 156 Phase 2. The gap is 0.13 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the e-208 156 Phase 2 crosses the line in 16.14 s versus 16.28 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The e-208 156 Phase 2 maxes out at 150 km/h while the 118d xDrive keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.20 s.

Around 745 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 118d xDrive overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 60 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 118d xDrive finishes in 29.87 s versus 30.57 s. The 0.70 s delta in favour of the 118d xDrive shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

The 118d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the e-208 156 Phase 2’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the e-208 156 Phase 2 is capped at 150 km/h, the 118d xDrive 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 14.20 seconds. The 0.50 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.