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A120dDieselvsB220iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120d · 220i

BMW 120d F20LCI vs BMW 220i Gran Coupe F44: 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
BMWDiesel

120d F20LCI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,415 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

220i Gran Coupe F44

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120d F20LCI

7.15 s

Gap0.11 sin favour of 220i Gran Coupe
BBMW 220i Gran Coupe F44

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120d F20LCI220i Gran Coupe F44Gap
0–100 km/h7.15 s7.04 s0.11 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
400 m standing start15.30 s15.12 s0.18 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
1,000 m standing start27.54 s27.43 s0.11 s · 220i Gran Coupe F44
Top speed (electronically limited)228 km/h238 km/h10 km/h · 220i Gran Coupe F44
Power-to-weight ratio7.45 kg/hp8.03 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel120d F20LCI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol220i Gran Coupe F44
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.
Stage120d F20LCI220i Gran Coupe F44
0–30 km/h2.05 s1.63 s
0–50 km/h3.27 s2.76 s
0–80 km/h5.29 s4.95 s
0–100 km/h7.15 s7.04 s · tight gap
0–120 km/h9.55 s9.52 s · tight gap
0–160 km/h16.63 s16.92 s
0–200 km/h30.38 s29.73 s
400 m standing start15.30 s15.12 s
1,000 m standing start27.54 s27.43 s · tight gap
Top speed228 km/h238 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

120d F20LCI

7,45kg/hpratio better by 0,59 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 415 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

220i Gran Coupe F44

8,03kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 220i Gran Coupe hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 7.15 s for the 120d. At this point, the 220i Gran Coupe leads by 0.11 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220i Gran Coupe is doing 122 km/h against 124 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 0.29 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220i Gran Coupe crosses the line in 15.11 s versus 15.30 s. The 0.19 s gap represents roughly 8 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The 120d maxes out at 228 km/h while the 220i Gran Coupe keeps accelerating towards 238 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.14 s.

At 1,000 metres, the 220i Gran Coupe finishes in 27.42 s versus 27.53 s, with just 0.11 s to spare. The 120d fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

On paper, the 120d combines 190 hp, 400 Nm and 1,415 kg - a clear theoretical edge over the 220i Gran Coupe. Yet the 220i Gran Coupe launches quicker. At standstill, both motors deliver peak torque from 0 rpm: the decisive factor is no longer raw power, but available grip. If the 220i Gran Coupe has a better traction coefficient (tyres, weight distribution, traction control calibration), it puts down more force despite inferior specs - exactly what the simulation reflects, calibrated on manufacturer 0-100 km/h times.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d is capped at 228 km/h, the 220i Gran Coupe at 238 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 (7.45 kg/hp vs 8.03 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.19 seconds. The 0.11 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 120d F20LCI
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kWAudi A3 allstreet

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A3 Sedan vs 220i Gran Coupe

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 220i Gran Coupe F44 wins (7,04 s vs 7,15 s).

120d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120d F20LCI: 190 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 178 hp, ratio 8,03 kg/hp.

120d F20LCI: 228 km/h. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 238 km/h.