Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F40 wins (6,95 s vs 7,12 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.
| 120i F20LCI | 120i F40 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s | 6,95 s+0,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s | 15,05 s+0,17 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s | 27,31 s+0,22 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 235 km/h−10 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,81 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 | 120i F20LCI | 120i F40 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,79 s | 1,65 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,99 s | 2,78 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,16 s | 4,91 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s | 6,95 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,70 s | 9,38 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,79 s | 16,65 stight gap |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,61 s | 29,52 stight gap |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s | 27,31 s |
| Top speed | 225 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 178 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 280 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 390 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 120i hits 100 km/h in 6.95 s versus 7.12 s for the Bmw 120i. At this point, the Bmw 120i leads by 0.17 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 120i is doing 123 km/h against 122 km/h for the Bmw 120i. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120i crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 15.22 s. The 0.17 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120i finishes in 27.31 s versus 27.52 s, with a 0.21 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 120i is capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 120i 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 (7.47 kg/hp vs 7.81 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.27 seconds. The 0.17 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, 120i F40 wins (6,95 s vs 7,12 s).
120i F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,12 seconds (calibrated simulation).
120i F20LCI: 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp. 120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp.
120i F20LCI: 225 km/h. 120i F40: 235 km/h.