Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI wins (7,12 s vs 7,44 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 | 420i F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s−0,32 s | 7,44 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s−0,16 s | 15,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s−0,70 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 238 km/h−13 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,47 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,29 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 | 420i F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,79 s | 1,42 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,99 s | 2,53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,16 s | 5,09 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,12 s | 7,44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,70 s | 10,39 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,79 s | 19,05 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,61 s | 35,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,22 s | 15,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,53 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 238 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 120i hits 100 km/h in 7.12 s versus 7.44 s for the Bmw 420i. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 420i is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i is doing 117 km/h against 122 km/h for the Bmw 120i. The gap is 0.07 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 120i crosses the line in 15.22 s versus 15.38 s. The 0.16 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 170 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120i finishes in 27.52 s versus 28.23 s, with a 0.71 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 238 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 420i at 240 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 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.15 seconds. The 0.32 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI wins (7,12 s vs 7,44 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. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
120i F20LCI: 225 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.