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A118dvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs118d · 218d

BMW 118d xDrive F20LCI vs BMW 218d Convertible F22: 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 2018 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

118d xDrive F20LCI

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,470 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDiesel

218d Convertible F22

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,565 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 118d xDrive F20LCI

8.62 s

Gap0.50 sin favour of 118d xDrive
BBMW 218d Convertible F22

9.12 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure118d xDrive F20LCI218d Convertible F22Gap
0–100 km/h8.62 s9.12 s0.50 s · 118d xDrive F20LCI
400 m standing start16.29 s16.65 s0.36 s · 118d xDrive F20LCI
1,000 m standing start29.87 s30.48 s0.61 s · 118d xDrive F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h208 km/h2 km/h · 118d xDrive F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio9.80 kg/hp10.43 kg/hpbetter ratio · 118d xDrive F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel118d xDrive F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel218d Convertible F22
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 xDrive F20LCI218d Convertible F22
0–30 km/h1.80 s · tight gap1.81 s
0–50 km/h3.05 s · tight gap3.17 s
0–80 km/h5.89 s6.35 s
0–100 km/h8.62 s9.12 s
0–120 km/h12.06 s12.95 s
0–160 km/h23.03 s24.66 s
0–200 km/h52.90 s57.98 s
400 m standing start16.29 s16.65 s
1,000 m standing start29.87 s30.48 s
Top speed210 km/h208 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 xDrive F20LCI

9,80kg/hpratio better by 0,63 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 470 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox6-speed manual
BMW

218d Convertible F22

10,43kg/hpcompensated by −95 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 565 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 118d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 8.62 s versus 9.12 s for the 218d Convertible. At this point, the 118d xDrive leads by 0.50 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 118d xDrive is doing 112 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218d Convertible. The gap is 0.22 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 118d xDrive crosses the line in 16.28 s versus 16.65 s. The 0.36 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 118d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 155 km/h versus 152 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 118d xDrive finishes in 29.87 s versus 30.48 s, with a 0.61 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (210 vs 208 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 118d xDrive and the 218d Convertible are governed to 210 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 (9.80 kg/hp vs 10.43 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.20 seconds. The 0.50 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 xDrive F20LCI
Audi A3 Sportback

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 118d xDrive F20LCI wins (8,62 s vs 9,12 s).

118d xDrive F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,62 seconds (calibrated simulation).

118d xDrive F20LCI: 150 hp, ratio 9,80 kg/hp. 218d Convertible F22: 150 hp, ratio 10,43 kg/hp.

118d xDrive F20LCI: 210 km/h. 218d Convertible F22: 208 km/h.