Over 0–100 km/h, 120d xDrive F40 wins (7,13 s vs 10,17 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.
| 120d xDrive F40 | 116d F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,13 s−3,04 s | 10,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,21 s−2,18 s | 17,39 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,00 s−3,69 s | 31,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 228 km/h+28 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,97 kg/hpbetter ratio | 11,85 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 | 120d xDrive F40 | 116d F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,50 s | 2,27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,54 s | 3,75 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,93 s | 7,01 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,13 s | 10,17 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,98 s | 14,33 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,51 s | 28,15 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 35,95 s | 83,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,21 s | 17,39 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,00 s | 31,69 s |
| Top speed | 228 km/h | 200 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 116 hp | 3 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual |
Off the line, the Bmw 120d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.13 s versus 10.17 s for the Bmw 116d. At this point, the Bmw 120d xDrive leads by 3.04 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 106 km/h for the Bmw 116d. The gap is 1.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d xDrive crosses the line in 15.21 s versus 17.39 s. The 2.18 s gap represents roughly 77 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 164 km/h versus 147 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d xDrive finishes in 27.99 s versus 31.69 s, with a 3.69 s lead.
The Bmw 120d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 116d’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.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d xDrive is capped at 230 km/h, the Bmw 116d at 200 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.97 kg/hp vs 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.95 seconds. The 3.04 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, 120d xDrive F40 wins (7,13 s vs 10,17 s).
120d xDrive F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d xDrive F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.
120d xDrive F40: 228 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.