The carbon fiber-constructed BMW i3 takes full advantage of low light weight  in order to provide ample acceleration for the driver to enjoy, primarily off the line. It’s claimed to reach 37 mph or 60 km/h in 3.7 seconds and 62 mph or 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, with 168 hp on tap from its electric motor.

In order to put those figures into perspective, one needs an i3, an E92 M3 with a V8 under the bonnet and a slightly damp track surface on which to stage a drag race. This is what Business Car Manager did, and the fruit of their labor lies after the virtual jump, in video form.

As you’ll see, the i3 has no trouble sprinting off the line ahead of the M3, and even with its bike-skinny tires, it stays ahead up until around 30 mph or 48 km/h, when the bigger car gains traction and starts pulling ahead.

In fact, the quoted source states that one day prior to the video being shot, they tried out the drag race on a much wetter Brands Hatch track, and “the i3 gripped better and beat the M3 all the way to the chequered flag.”

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: BMWBlog
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