Over 0–100 km/h, Golf 8 GTE wins (6,81 s vs 7,45 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.
| Golf 8 GTE | Leon VZe | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,81 s−0,64 s | 7,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,97 s−0,45 s | 15,42 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,93 s−0,56 s | 27,49 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 225 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,60 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,76 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 | Golf 8 GTE | Leon VZe |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,94 s | 2,08 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,23 s | 3,48 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,14 s | 5,63 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,81 s | 7,45 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,94 s | 9,63 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15,32 s | 16,26 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 28,18 s | 29,27 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,97 s | 15,42 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,93 s | 27,49 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 225 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 245 hp | Inline-4 Turbo TSI |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 617 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | DSG 6-speed |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 241 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 630 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DSG |
Off the line, the Golf 8 GTE hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 7.45 s for the Leon VZe. At this point, the Golf 8 GTE leads by 0.64 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Golf 8 GTE is doing 128 km/h against 126 km/h for the Leon VZe. The gap is 0.37 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Golf 8 GTE crosses the line in 14.96 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.45 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Golf 8 GTE continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Golf 8 GTE finishes in 26.92 s versus 27.49 s, with a 0.56 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 225 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Golf 8 GTE and the Leon VZe are governed to 225 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.60 kg/hp vs 6.76 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.94 seconds. The 0.64 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, Golf 8 GTE wins (6,81 s vs 7,45 s).
Golf 8 GTE goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Golf 8 GTE: 245 hp, ratio 6,60 kg/hp. Leon VZe: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp.
Golf 8 GTE: 225 km/h. Leon VZe: 225 km/h.