Renault 5 E-Tech Electric 150 vs BMW 218i F44: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 5 E-Tech Electric 150 hits 100 km/h in 8.12 s versus 8.95 s for the Bmw 218i. The instant torque of 245 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 5 E-Tech Electric 150 leads by 0.83 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 5 E-Tech Electric 150 is doing 117 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 218i. The gap is 0.21 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 5 E-Tech Electric 150 crosses the line in 16.13 s versus 16.53 s. The 0.39 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 5 E-Tech Electric 150 maxes out at 150 km/h while the Bmw 218i keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.40 s.

Around 823 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 218i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 60 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 218i finishes in 30.06 s versus 30.62 s. The 0.55 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 5 E-Tech Electric 150 is capped at 150 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 0.83 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.