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A120dDieselvsBCooperBEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120d · Cooper

BMW 120d xDrive F40 vs MINI Cooper E FWD: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2019 vs 2024 · Methodology
BMWDiesel

120d xDrive F40

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,515 kg · 2019

VS
MINIBEV

Cooper E FWD

184 hp · 290 Nm · 1,395 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120d xDrive F40

7.21 s

Gap0.01 sNot a significant gap
BMINI Cooper E FWD

7.20 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120d xDrive F40Cooper E FWDGap
0–100 km/h7.21 s7.20 s0.01 s · Cooper E FWD
400 m standing start15.27 s15.37 s0.10 s · 120d xDrive F40
1,000 m standing start28.08 s28.93 s0.85 s · 120d xDrive F40
Top speed (electronically limited)227 km/h160 km/h67 km/h · 120d xDrive F40
Power-to-weight ratio7.97 kg/hp7.58 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cooper E FWD

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWDiesel120d xDrive F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
MINIBEVCooper E FWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage120d xDrive F40Cooper E FWD
0–30 km/h1.54 s1.96 s
0–50 km/h2.58 s3.28 s
0–80 km/h4.99 s5.36 s
0–100 km/h7.21 s7.20 s · tight gap
0–120 km/h10.07 s9.63 s
0–160 km/h18.67 s17.59 s
0–200 km/h36.31 s-
400 m standing start15.27 s · tight gap15.37 s
1,000 m standing start28.08 s28.93 s
Top speed227 km/h160 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

120d xDrive F40

7,97kg/hpcompensated by −120 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 515 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
MINI

Cooper E FWD

7,58kg/hpratio better by 0,39 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque290 Nm
Weight1 395 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Cooper E FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.20 s versus 7.21 s for the 120d xDrive. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.01 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 124 km/h for the Cooper E FWD. The gap is 0.29 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d xDrive crosses the line in 15.27 s versus 15.37 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 164 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120d xDrive finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.93 s, with a 0.85 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The 120d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cooper E FWD’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d xDrive is capped at 230 km/h, the Cooper E FWD at 160 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 11.79 seconds. The 0.01 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d xDrive F40 and Cooper E FWD are neck and neck (7,20 s vs 7,21 s, no significant gap).

120d xDrive F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,21 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120d xDrive F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp. Cooper E FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,58 kg/hp.

120d xDrive F40: 227 km/h. Cooper E FWD: 160 km/h.