Here is the first drag race between BMW i3 and a conventional vehicle, this time, the BMW M3.

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At the UK launch of the BMW i3, a group of journalists had the idea to track the BMW i3 against the M3, in a straight line. With its full torque immediately available, the i3 keeps up with the M3 up to 40 mph, but it loses to the M3 in the 50-60 mph.

The i3’s electric drive-train generates output of 125 kW/170 hp and peak torque of 250 Newton meters, which is immediately available from a standing start. The BMW i3 sprints from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 150 km/h for efficiency reasons.

The M3 and its 4.0-liter 414-hp V8 runs to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds (4.6 with rollout) and 13.0 at 109.9 mph.