Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,38 s vs 8,65 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 | 218i Coupé G42 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s−1,27 s | 8,65 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s−0,88 s | 16,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s−1,92 s | 29,82 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h+9 km/h | 222 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,52 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 | 218i Coupé G42 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,87 s | 1,72 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 3,00 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 5,92 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 8,65 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,97 s | 12,14 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,66 s | 22,81 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 32,84 s | 46,33 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 16,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s | 29,82 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 222 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 | 156 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 485 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.38 s versus 8.65 s for the Bmw 218i Coupé. At this point, the Bmw 120d leads by 1.27 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d is doing 121 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 218i Coupé. The gap is 0.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 16.29 s. The 0.88 s gap represents roughly 33 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 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 29.82 s, with a 1.92 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (231 vs 222 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw 218i Coupé at 224 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 9.52 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.27 seconds. The 1.27 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 8,65 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. 218i Coupé G42: 156 hp, ratio 9,52 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. 218i Coupé G42: 222 km/h.