Over 0–100 km/h, Megane 4 RS 280 wins (5,80 s vs 6,15 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Megane 4 RS 280 | 125i F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,80 s−0,35 s | 6,15 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,87 s−0,49 s | 14,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,70 s−1,21 s | 25,91 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+7 km/h | 243 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,18 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,25 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Megane 4 RS 280 | 125i F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,67 s | 1,66 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,79 s | 2,77 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,37 s | 4,57 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,80 s | 6,15 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,41 s | 8,17 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,96 s | 13,86 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,08 s | 23,72 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,87 s | 14,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,70 s | 25,91 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 243 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 280 hp | I4 |
| Torque | 390 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | EDC 6-speed (dual clutch) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 224 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 310 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 400 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Megane 4 RS 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.80 s versus 6.15 s for the Bmw 125i. At this point, the Megane 4 RS 280 leads by 0.35 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 is doing 138 km/h against 131 km/h for the Bmw 125i. The gap is 0.22 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Megane 4 RS 280 crosses the line in 13.86 s versus 14.35 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 182 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Megane 4 RS 280 finishes in 24.70 s versus 25.91 s, with a 1.21 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 243 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Megane 4 RS 280 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 125i at 243 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.18 kg/hp vs 6.25 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.35 seconds. The 0.35 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Megane 4 RS 280 wins (5,80 s vs 6,15 s).
Megane 4 RS 280 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,80 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Megane 4 RS 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,18 kg/hp. 125i F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,25 kg/hp.
Megane 4 RS 280: 250 km/h. 125i F20LCI: 243 km/h.