Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,37 s vs 8,62 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 F40 | 118d xDrive F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,37 s−1,25 s | 8,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s−0,83 s | 16,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,03 s−1,84 s | 29,87 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 230 km/h+20 km/h | 210 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,80 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 F40 | 118d xDrive F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,93 s | 1,80 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,05 s | 3,05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,30 s | 5,89 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,37 s | 8,62 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,04 s | 12,06 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,96 s | 23,03 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 33,74 s | 52,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 16,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,03 s | 29,87 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 210 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 | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 470 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
Off the line, the Bmw 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.37 s versus 8.62 s for the Bmw 118d xDrive. At this point, the Bmw 120d leads by 1.25 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d is doing 121 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 118d xDrive. The gap is 0.41 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 16.28 s. The 0.83 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 28.02 s versus 29.87 s, with a 1.84 s lead.
The Bmw 118d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 120d’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 is capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw 118d xDrive at 210 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 (7.63 kg/hp vs 9.80 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.20 seconds. The 1.25 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 F40 wins (7,37 s vs 8,62 s).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,37 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. 118d xDrive F20LCI: 150 hp, ratio 9,80 kg/hp.
120d F40: 230 km/h. 118d xDrive F20LCI: 210 km/h.