Over 0–100 km/h, 420d F32 wins (7,04 s vs 7,15 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 F20LCI | 420d F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,15 s | 7,04 s+0,11 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,30 s | 15,11 s+0,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,54 s−0,24 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 228 km/h | 240 km/h−12 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,45 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,45 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 F20LCI | 420d F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,05 s | 1,37 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,27 s | 2,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 4,80 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,15 s | 7,04 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,55 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,63 s | 18,13 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,38 s | 33,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,30 s | 15,11 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,54 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed | 228 km/h | 240 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 | 1 415 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 605 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 420d hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 7.15 s for the Bmw 120d. At this point, the Bmw 420d leads by 0.11 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420d is doing 119 km/h against 124 km/h for the Bmw 120d. The gap is 0.43 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420d crosses the line in 15.10 s versus 15.30 s. The 0.20 s gap represents roughly 8 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw 120d maxes out at 228 km/h while the Bmw 420d keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.02 s.
Around 623 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 120d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 12 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.53 s versus 27.77 s. The 0.24 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 228 km/h, the Bmw 420d at 240 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 8.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.60 seconds. The 0.11 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, 420d F32 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. 420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.
120d F20LCI: 228 km/h. 420d F32: 240 km/h.