Renault Clio 4 RS 200 vs BMW i3s I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Clio 4 RS 200 hits 100 km/h in 6.63 s versus 6.81 s for the i3s. Despite lacking instant torque, 200 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Clio 4 RS 200 leads by 0.18 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Clio 4 RS 200 is doing 126 km/h against 124 km/h for the i3s. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Clio 4 RS 200 crosses the line in 14.74 s versus 15.05 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the Clio 4 RS 200 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Clio 4 RS 200 finishes in 26.78 s versus 28.59 s, with a 1.81 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Clio 4 RS 200 is capped at 227 km/h, the i3s at 160 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 10.76 seconds. The 0.18 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.