The i3-versus-M3 drag race you are about to see only lasts eight seconds, but for five of those seconds the i3 beats the M3. Chalk up that partial victory to 100 percent of the electric i3′s 184 lb-ft of torque being available at zero rpm.

After those first five seconds, though, the BMW M3′s 414 horsepower attains more traction on the damp track surface. Once that happens, it’s goodbye i3. Still, for a car that can hit 60 mph in seven seconds, the i3 did remarkably well, especially when you consider how narrow its tires are.

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