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A118dDieselvsB116Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs118d · 116

BMW 118d F20LCI vs BMW 116 F70: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2018 vs 2024 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

118d F20LCI

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,395 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

116 F70

122 hp · 230 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 118d F20LCI

8.51 s

Gap1.20 sin favour of 118d
BBMW 116 F70

9.71 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure118d F20LCI116 F70Gap
0–100 km/h8.51 s9.71 s1.20 s · 118d F20LCI
400 m standing start16.27 s16.88 s0.61 s · 118d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start29.62 s31.31 s1.69 s · 118d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)212 km/h206 km/h6 km/h · 118d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio9.30 kg/hp11.39 kg/hpbetter ratio · 118d F20LCI

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWDiesel118d F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol116 F70
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage118d F20LCI116 F70
0–30 km/h2.00 s1.56 s
0–50 km/h3.28 s2.99 s
0–80 km/h5.95 s6.40 s
0–100 km/h8.51 s9.71 s
0–120 km/h11.72 s14.10 s
0–160 km/h21.88 s28.40 s
0–200 km/h47.74 s76.57 s
400 m standing start16.27 s16.88 s
1,000 m standing start29.62 s31.31 s
Top speed212 km/h206 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

118d F20LCI

9,30kg/hpratio better by 2,09 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 395 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

116 F70

11,39kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power122 hp3 cyl
Torque230 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic transmission with dual clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 118d hits 100 km/h in 8.51 s versus 9.71 s for the 116. The 1.20 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 118d is doing 114 km/h against 106 km/h for the 116. The gap is 0.14 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 118d crosses the line in 16.27 s versus 16.88 s. The 0.61 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 118d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 158 km/h versus 146 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 118d finishes in 29.61 s versus 31.31 s, with a 1.69 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (212 vs 206 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 118d and the 116 are governed to 212 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 combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (9.30 kg/hp vs 11.39 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.84 seconds. The 1.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 118d F20LCI
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW
Instead of 116 F70
Audi A3 Sportback

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

118d vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

118d vs A3 Sportback

BMWVSAudi

116 vs A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 118d F20LCI wins (8,51 s vs 9,71 s).

118d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,51 seconds (calibrated simulation).

118d F20LCI: 150 hp, ratio 9,30 kg/hp. 116 F70: 122 hp, ratio 11,39 kg/hp.

118d F20LCI: 212 km/h. 116 F70: 206 km/h.