Over 0–100 km/h, 520d G30 wins (7,17 s vs 7,38 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 | 520d G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 7,17 s+0,21 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 15,20 s+0,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s−0,20 s | 28,10 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 231 km/h | 235 km/h−4 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,82 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 | 520d G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,87 s | 1,25 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 2,35 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,29 s | 4,82 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,38 s | 7,17 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,97 s | 10,23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,66 s | 18,99 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 32,84 s | 35,92 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,41 s | 15,20 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,90 s | 28,10 s |
| Top speed | 231 km/h | 235 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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 675 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 520d hits 100 km/h in 7.17 s versus 7.38 s for the Bmw 120d. At this point, the Bmw 520d leads by 0.21 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 520d is doing 117 km/h against 121 km/h for the Bmw 120d. The gap is 0.40 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 520d crosses the line in 15.20 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.21 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 231 km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 231 km/h.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 27.90 s versus 28.10 s. The 0.20 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 231 km/h, the Bmw 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 (7.63 kg/hp vs 8.82 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.01 seconds. The 0.21 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, 520d G30 wins (7,17 s vs 7,38 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. 520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,82 kg/hp.
120d F40: 231 km/h. 520d G30: 235 km/h.