Renault Clio 3 RS 200 vs Nissan Leaf 40kWh ZE1: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Clio 3 RS 200 hits 100 km/h in 7.03 s versus 8.05 s for the Leaf 40kWh ZE1. Despite lacking instant torque, 200 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Clio 3 RS 200 leads by 1.02 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Clio 3 RS 200 is doing 125 km/h against 116 km/h for the Leaf 40kWh ZE1. The gap is 0.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Clio 3 RS 200 crosses the line in 15.20 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.84 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Clio 3 RS 200 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 144 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Clio 3 RS 200 finishes in 27.23 s versus 31.05 s, with a 3.82 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Clio 3 RS 200 is capped at 223 km/h, the Leaf 40kWh ZE1 at 144 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 13.39 seconds. The 1.02 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.