Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 and Cooper SE FWD are neck and neck (7,32 s vs 7,37 s, no significant gap).
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 | Cooper SE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,37 s | 7,32 s+0,05 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 15,46 s+0,00 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,03 s−1,83 s | 29,86 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 230 km/h+80 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,63 kg/hp | 7,42 kg/hpbetter ratio |
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 | Cooper SE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,93 s | 2,03 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,05 s | 3,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,30 s | 5,51 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,37 s | 7,32 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,04 s | 9,71 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,96 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 33,74 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 15,46 s | 15,46 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,03 s | 29,86 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 150 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 | 1 450 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 7.37 s for the Bmw 120d. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.05 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120d is doing 121 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper SE FWD. The gap is 0.11 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120d crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 15.46 s. The 0.01 s gap represents roughly 0 m of track
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 167 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120d finishes in 28.02 s versus 29.86 s, with a 1.84 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120d is capped at 231 km/h, the Cooper SE FWD at 150 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.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.63 seconds. The 0.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 and Cooper SE FWD are neck and neck (7,32 s vs 7,37 s, no significant gap).
120d F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,37 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. Cooper SE FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,42 kg/hp.
120d F40: 230 km/h. Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h.