Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F20LCI wins (7,15 s vs 7,50 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 120d F20LCI | 520d G30 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.15 s | 7.50 s | 0.35 s · 120d F20LCI |
| 400 m standing start | 15.30 s | 15.49 s | 0.19 s · 120d F20LCI |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.54 s | 28.46 s | 0.92 s · 120d F20LCI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 228 km/h | 232 km/h | 4 km/h · 520d G30 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.45 kg/hp | 8.39 kg/hp | better ratio · 120d F20LCI |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 120d F20LCI | 520d G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.05 s | 1.50 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.27 s | 2.59 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.29 s | 5.16 s · tight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.15 s | 7.50 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9.55 s | 10.54 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16.63 s | 19.59 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30.38 s | 37.13 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.30 s | 15.49 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27.54 s | 28.46 s |
| Top speed | 228 km/h | 232 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 1 595 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.15 s versus 7.50 s for the 520d. Despite the faster sprint time, the 520d is 9 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the 520d is doing 117 km/h against 124 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 0.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 15.49 s. The 0.18 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d finishes in 27.53 s versus 28.46 s, with a 0.92 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (228 vs 232 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d is capped at 228 km/h, the 520d at 235 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 8.39 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.36 seconds. The 0.35 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F20LCI wins (7,15 s vs 7,50 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. 520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,39 kg/hp.
120d F20LCI: 228 km/h. 520d G30: 232 km/h.