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A120dvsB320dDiesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • Specs120d · 320d

BMW 120d xDrive F40 vs BMW 320d xDrive G20: 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 · 2020 vs 2019 · Methodology
BMWDiesel

120d xDrive F40

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,515 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDieselFaster

320d xDrive G20

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,540 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120d xDrive F40

7.13 s

Gap0.16 sin favour of 320d xDrive
BBMW 320d xDrive G20

6.97 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120d xDrive F40320d xDrive G20Gap
0–100 km/h7.13 s6.97 s0.16 s · 320d xDrive G20
400 m standing start15.21 s15.09 s0.12 s · 320d xDrive G20
1,000 m standing start28.00 s27.84 s0.16 s · 320d xDrive G20
Top speed (electronically limited)228 km/h232 km/h4 km/h · 320d xDrive G20
Power-to-weight ratio7.97 kg/hp8.11 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120d xDrive F40

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
BMWDiesel320d xDrive G20
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 F40320d xDrive G20
0–30 km/h1.50 s1.35 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.54 s2.38 s
0–80 km/h4.93 s4.78 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h7.13 s6.97 s
0–120 km/h9.98 s9.84 s · tight gap
0–160 km/h18.51 s18.31 s
0–200 km/h35.95 s34.62 s
400 m standing start15.21 s15.09 s · tight gap
1,000 m standing start28.00 s27.84 s
Top speed228 km/h232 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/hpratio better by 0,13 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 515 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

320d xDrive G20

8,11kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 540 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 320d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 6.97 s versus 7.13 s for the 120d xDrive. At this point, the 320d xDrive leads by 0.16 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 320d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 119 km/h for the 120d xDrive. The gap is 0.12 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 320d xDrive crosses the line in 15.09 s versus 15.21 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 320d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 165 km/h versus 164 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320d xDrive finishes in 27.84 s versus 27.99 s, with a 0.16 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (228 vs 232 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120d xDrive is capped at 230 km/h, the 320d xDrive at 233 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 (7.97 kg/hp vs 8.11 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.69 seconds. The 0.16 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, 320d xDrive G20 wins (6,97 s vs 7,13 s).

120d xDrive F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120d xDrive F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp. 320d xDrive G20: 190 hp, ratio 8,11 kg/hp.

120d xDrive F40: 228 km/h. 320d xDrive G20: 232 km/h.