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A118dDieselvsB116iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs118d · 116i

BMW 118d F20LCI vs BMW 116i F40: 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 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

118d F20LCI

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,395 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

116i F40

109 hp · 190 Nm · 1,320 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 118d F20LCI

8.51 s

Gap1.92 sin favour of 118d
BBMW 116i F40

10.43 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure118d F20LCI116i F40Gap
0–100 km/h8.51 s10.43 s1.92 s · 118d F20LCI
400 m standing start16.27 s17.36 s1.09 s · 118d F20LCI
1,000 m standing start29.62 s32.13 s2.51 s · 118d F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)212 km/h200 km/h12 km/h · 118d F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio9.30 kg/hp12.11 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
BMWPetrol116i F40
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 F20LCI116i F40
0–30 km/h2.00 s1.86 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h3.28 s · tight gap3.30 s
0–80 km/h5.95 s6.88 s
0–100 km/h8.51 s10.43 s
0–120 km/h11.72 s15.20 s
0–160 km/h21.88 s31.28 s
0–200 km/h47.74 s124.87 s
400 m standing start16.27 s17.36 s
1,000 m standing start29.62 s32.13 s
Top speed212 km/h200 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 2,81 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 395 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

116i F40

12,11kg/hpcompensated by −75 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hp3 cyl
Torque190 Nm
Weight1 320 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 118d hits 100 km/h in 8.51 s versus 10.43 s for the 116i. At this point, the 118d leads by 1.92 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 118d is doing 114 km/h against 104 km/h for the 116i. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 118d crosses the line in 16.27 s versus 17.36 s. The 1.09 s gap represents roughly 38 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

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 142 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 118d finishes in 29.61 s versus 32.13 s, with a 2.51 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (212 vs 200 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 118d is capped at 212 km/h, the 116i 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 (9.30 kg/hp vs 12.11 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 18.20 seconds. The 1.92 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 116i F40
Audi A3 Sportback

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

118d vs A3 Sedan

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116i

BMWVSAudi

118d vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback TFSI 85 kW vs 116i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 118d F20LCI wins (8,51 s vs 10,43 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. 116i F40: 109 hp, ratio 12,11 kg/hp.

118d F20LCI: 212 km/h. 116i F40: 200 km/h.