Over 0–100 km/h, 125d F20LCI wins (6,48 s vs 7,17 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 | 520d G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,48 s−0,69 s | 7,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,68 s−0,52 s | 15,20 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,40 s−1,70 s | 28,10 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+5 km/h | 235 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,61 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,82 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 | 520d G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,88 s | 1,25 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,03 s | 2,35 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,83 s | 4,82 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,48 s | 7,17 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,57 s | 10,23 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14,58 s | 18,99 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 25,23 s | 35,92 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,68 s | 15,20 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,40 s | 28,10 s |
| Top speed | 240 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 | 224 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 480 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 675 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 125d hits 100 km/h in 6.48 s versus 7.17 s for the Bmw 520d. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 520d is 8 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 520d is doing 117 km/h against 130 km/h for the Bmw 125d. The gap is 0.00 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 125d crosses the line in 14.67 s versus 15.20 s. The 0.52 s gap represents roughly 21 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 125d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 125d finishes in 26.39 s versus 28.10 s, with a 1.70 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 125d is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 520d 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 (6.61 kg/hp vs 8.82 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.01 seconds. The 0.69 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 7,17 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. 520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,82 kg/hp.
125d F20LCI: 240 km/h. 520d G30: 235 km/h.