Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,38 s vs 9,04 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 | 218d xDrive F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s−1,66 s | 9,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s−1,14 s | 16,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s−2,62 s | 30,52 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h+22 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,30 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 | 218d xDrive F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,87 s | 1,69 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 3,01 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 6,09 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 9,04 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,97 s | 12,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,66 s | 25,37 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 32,84 s | 62,83 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 16,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s | 30,52 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 209 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 | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 545 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.38 s versus 9.04 s for the Bmw 218d xDrive. At this point, the Bmw 120d leads by 1.66 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d is doing 121 km/h against 109 km/h for the Bmw 218d xDrive. The gap is 0.53 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 16.54 s. The 1.13 s gap represents roughly 42 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 168 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 30.52 s, with a 2.62 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw 218d xDrive at 211 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 10.30 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.31 seconds. The 1.66 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 (7,38 s vs 9,04 s).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,38 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. 218d xDrive F44: 150 hp, ratio 10,30 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. 218d xDrive F44: 209 km/h.