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A120iPetrolvsB116dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120i · 116d

BMW 120i F40 vs BMW 116d F40: 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 · 2021 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

120i F40

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 120i F40

6.91 s

Gap3.47 sin favour of 120i
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure120i F40116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h6.91 s10.38 s3.47 s · 120i F40
400 m standing start15.02 s17.62 s2.60 s · 120i F40
1,000 m standing start27.09 s31.82 s4.73 s · 120i F40
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h200 km/h35 km/h · 120i F40
Power-to-weight ratio7.81 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120i F40

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol120i F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel116d F40
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.
Stage120i F40116d F40
0–30 km/h1.76 s2.52 s
0–50 km/h2.94 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h4.96 s7.32 s
0–100 km/h6.91 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h9.21 s14.43 s
0–160 km/h16.06 s27.75 s
0–200 km/h27.89 s75.90 s
400 m standing start15.02 s17.62 s
1,000 m standing start27.09 s31.82 s
Top speed235 km/h200 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

120i F40

7,81kg/hpratio better by 4,04 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hp3 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120i hits 100 km/h in 6.91 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. At this point, the 120i leads by 3.47 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120i is doing 124 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 1.75 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120i crosses the line in 15.02 s versus 17.61 s. The 2.60 s gap represents roughly 92 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120i finishes in 27.09 s versus 31.81 s, with a 4.72 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 120i is capped at 235 km/h, the 116d at 200 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 (7.81 kg/hp vs 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.96 seconds. The 3.47 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 116d F40
Audi A3 allstreet

Other duels you might be interested in

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A3 allstreet vs 120i

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F40 wins (6,91 s vs 10,38 s).

120i F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,91 seconds (calibrated simulation).

120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

120i F40: 235 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.