Over 0–100 km/h, 125d F20LCI wins (6,48 s vs 8,62 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.
| 125d F20LCI | 218i F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,48 s−2,14 s | 8,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,68 s−1,67 s | 16,35 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,40 s−3,36 s | 29,76 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+25 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,61 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,64 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 | 125d F20LCI | 218i F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,88 s | 1,96 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,03 s | 3,27 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,83 s | 6,05 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,48 s | 8,62 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,57 s | 11,94 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14,58 s | 22,26 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 25,23 s | 47,03 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,68 s | 16,35 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,40 s | 29,76 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 215 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 224 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 480 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 140 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 350 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission) |
Off the line, the Bmw 125d hits 100 km/h in 6.48 s versus 8.62 s for the Bmw 218i. At this point, the Bmw 125d leads by 2.14 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 125d is doing 130 km/h against 113 km/h for the Bmw 218i. The gap is 0.96 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 125d crosses the line in 14.67 s versus 16.35 s. The 1.67 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 125d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 125d finishes in 26.39 s versus 29.76 s, with a 3.36 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 125d is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 218i at 215 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 (6.61 kg/hp vs 9.64 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.97 seconds. The 2.14 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, 125d F20LCI wins (6,48 s vs 8,62 s).
125d F20LCI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,48 seconds (calibrated simulation).
125d F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,61 kg/hp. 218i F44: 140 hp, ratio 9,64 kg/hp.
125d F20LCI: 240 km/h. 218i F44: 215 km/h.