Renault Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 vs BMW 116i F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 hits 100 km/h in 9.44 s versus 10.53 s for the Bmw 116i. The instant torque of 245 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 116i is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 116i is doing 104 km/h against 111 km/h for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. The gap is 0.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 crosses the line in 17.08 s versus 17.45 s. The 0.37 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 maxes out at 140 km/h while the Bmw 116i keeps accelerating towards 199 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.51 s.

Around 884 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 116i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 59 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 116i finishes in 32.17 s versus 32.53 s. The 0.36 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 is capped at 140 km/h, the Bmw 116i at 200 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 18.13 seconds. The 1.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.