Over 0–100 km/h, Prius PHEV wins (6,88 s vs 7,54 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.
| Prius PHEV | Megane E-Tech Electric 217 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,88 s−0,66 s | 7,54 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,10 s−0,52 s | 15,62 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,47 s−1,70 s | 29,17 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 262 km/h+102 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,91 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,80 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 | Prius PHEV | Megane E-Tech Electric 217 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,67 s | 2,13 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,68 s | 3,56 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,96 s | 5,75 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,88 s | 7,54 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,75 s | 9,87 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,29 s | 17,64 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 28,70 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,10 s | 15,62 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,47 s | 29,17 s |
| Top speed | 262 km/h | 160 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 223 hp | Inline-4 M20A-FXS (2nd gen Dynamic Force, Atkinson cycle) |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 540 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | e-CVT (Hybrid Synergy Drive) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 218 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 700 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Prius PHEV hits 100 km/h in 6.88 s versus 7.54 s for the Megane E-Tech Electric 217. At this point, the Prius PHEV leads by 0.66 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Prius PHEV is doing 121 km/h against 124 km/h for the Megane E-Tech Electric 217. The gap is 0.57 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Prius PHEV crosses the line in 15.09 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.52 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Prius PHEV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 169 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Prius PHEV finishes in 27.46 s versus 29.16 s, with a 1.70 s lead.
The Prius PHEV features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Megane E-Tech Electric 217’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.91 kg/hp vs 7.80 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.36 seconds. The 0.66 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Prius PHEV wins (6,88 s vs 7,54 s).
Prius PHEV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,88 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Prius PHEV: 223 hp, ratio 6,91 kg/hp. Megane E-Tech Electric 217: 218 hp, ratio 7,80 kg/hp.
Prius PHEV: 262 km/h. Megane E-Tech Electric 217: 160 km/h.