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A123HybridvsB116dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs123 · 116d

BMW 123 xDrive F70 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 · 2024 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

123 xDrive F70

218 hp · 320 Nm · 1,530 kg · 2024

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 123 xDrive F70

6.36 s

Gap4.02 sin favour of 123 xDrive
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure123 xDrive F70116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h6.36 s10.38 s4.02 s · 123 xDrive F70
400 m standing start14.55 s17.62 s3.07 s · 123 xDrive F70
1,000 m standing start26.62 s31.82 s5.20 s · 123 xDrive F70
Top speed (electronically limited)246 km/h200 km/h46 km/h · 123 xDrive F70
Power-to-weight ratio7.02 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · 123 xDrive F70

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid123 xDrive F70
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.
Stage123 xDrive F70116d F40
0–30 km/h1.42 s2.52 s
0–50 km/h2.39 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h4.40 s7.32 s
0–100 km/h6.36 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h8.71 s14.43 s
0–160 km/h15.55 s27.75 s
0–200 km/h27.54 s75.90 s
400 m standing start14.55 s17.62 s
1,000 m standing start26.62 s31.82 s
Top speed246 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

123 xDrive F70

7,02kg/hpratio better by 4,84 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power218 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 530 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic transmission with dual clutch
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hpcompensated by −155 kg
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 123 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 6.36 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. At this point, the 123 xDrive leads by 4.02 s and sits roughly 36 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 123 xDrive is doing 125 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 2.19 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 123 xDrive crosses the line in 14.55 s versus 17.61 s. The 3.07 s gap represents roughly 108 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 123 xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 123 xDrive finishes in 26.62 s versus 31.81 s, with a 5.19 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 123 xDrive is capped at 246 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 (7.02 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 4.02 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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123 xDrive vs A3 allstreet

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

BMWVSAudi

123 xDrive vs A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 123 xDrive F70 wins (6,36 s vs 10,38 s).

123 xDrive F70 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).

123 xDrive F70: 218 hp, ratio 7,02 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

123 xDrive F70: 246 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.