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A128tiPetrolvsB420dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs128ti · 420d

BMW 128ti F40 vs BMW 420d G22: 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 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 128ti F40

6.22 s

Gap0.82 sin favour of 128ti
BBMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure128ti F40420d G22Gap
0–100 km/h6.22 s7.04 s0.82 s · 128ti F40
400 m standing start14.31 s15.11 s0.80 s · 128ti F40
1,000 m standing start25.38 s27.78 s2.40 s · 128ti F40
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · 128ti F40
Power-to-weight ratio5.45 kg/hp8.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 128ti F40

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol128ti F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d G22
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.
Stage128ti F40420d G22
0–30 km/h1.88 s1.37 s
0–50 km/h3.14 s2.40 s
0–80 km/h4.86 s4.80 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h6.22 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h7.95 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h12.77 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h20.72 s33.30 s
400 m standing start14.31 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start25.38 s27.78 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpratio better by 2,99 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
BMW

420d G22

8,45kg/hpcompensated by −160 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 128ti hits 100 km/h in 6.22 s versus 7.04 s for the 420d. Despite the faster sprint time, the 420d is 8 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 128ti is doing 136 km/h against 119 km/h for the 420d. The gap is 0.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 128ti crosses the line in 14.31 s versus 15.10 s. The 0.80 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 128ti continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 128ti finishes in 25.37 s versus 27.77 s, with a 2.40 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 128ti is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 420d 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 (5.45 kg/hp vs 8.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.60 seconds. The 0.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 128ti F40 wins (6,22 s vs 7,04 s).

128ti F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,22 seconds (calibrated simulation).

128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp. 420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

128ti F40: 250 km/h. 420d G22: 240 km/h.