Over 0–100 km/h, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 8,65 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.
| 420i F32 | 118d F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s−1,21 s | 8,65 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s−1,03 s | 16,41 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s−1,60 s | 29,83 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 238 km/h+20 km/h | 218 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,37 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 | 420i F32 | 118d F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,42 s | 2,07 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,53 s | 3,39 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,09 s | 6,08 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,44 s | 8,65 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,39 s | 11,98 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,05 s | 22,37 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 35,17 s | 47,11 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,38 s | 16,41 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,23 s | 29,83 s |
| Top speed | 238 km/h | 218 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 405 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission) |
Off the line, the Bmw 420i hits 100 km/h in 7.44 s versus 8.65 s for the Bmw 118d. At this point, the Bmw 420i leads by 1.21 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i is doing 117 km/h against 113 km/h for the Bmw 118d. The gap is 0.82 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 16.41 s. The 1.03 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 420i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420i finishes in 28.23 s versus 29.82 s, with a 1.60 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 420i is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 118d at 218 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 (8.29 kg/hp vs 9.37 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.03 seconds. The 1.21 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, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 8,65 s).
420i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).
420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp. 118d F40: 150 hp, ratio 9,37 kg/hp.
420i F32: 238 km/h. 118d F40: 218 km/h.