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A218dDieselvsB218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs218d · 218i

BMW 218d xDrive F22 vs BMW 218i Convertible F44: 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 · 2018 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

218d xDrive F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,520 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Convertible F44

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,560 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 218d xDrive F22

8.92 s

Gap0.42 sin favour of 218d xDrive
BBMW 218i Convertible F44

9.34 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure218d xDrive F22218i Convertible F44Gap
0–100 km/h8.92 s9.34 s0.42 s · 218d xDrive F22
400 m standing start16.67 s16.79 s0.12 s · 218d xDrive F22
1,000 m standing start30.09 s30.47 s0.38 s · 218d xDrive F22
Top speed (electronically limited)209 km/h207 km/h2 km/h · 218d xDrive F22
Power-to-weight ratio10.13 kg/hp11.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · 218d xDrive F22

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel218d xDrive F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Convertible F44
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.
Stage218d xDrive F22218i Convertible F44
0–30 km/h2.34 s2.04 s
0–50 km/h3.76 s3.42 s
0–80 km/h6.39 s6.56 s
0–100 km/h8.92 s9.34 s
0–120 km/h12.25 s12.87 s
0–160 km/h22.61 s24.00 s
0–200 km/h48.45 s49.95 s
400 m standing start16.67 s · tight gap16.79 s
1,000 m standing start30.09 s30.47 s
Top speed209 km/h207 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

218d xDrive F22

10,13kg/hpratio better by 1,34 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 520 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

218i Convertible F44

11,47kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp4 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 560 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 218d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 8.92 s versus 9.34 s for the 218i Convertible. Despite the faster sprint time, the 218i Convertible is 3 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 218i Convertible is doing 110 km/h against 113 km/h for the 218d xDrive. The gap is 0.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218d xDrive crosses the line in 16.67 s versus 16.78 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 218d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 157 km/h versus 154 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218d xDrive finishes in 30.09 s versus 30.47 s, with a 0.38 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (209 vs 207 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 218d xDrive and the 218i Convertible are governed to 209 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (10.13 kg/hp vs 11.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.16 seconds. The 0.42 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.

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Audi A3 Sedan

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 218d xDrive F22 wins (8,92 s vs 9,34 s).

218d xDrive F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,92 seconds (calibrated simulation).

218d xDrive F22: 150 hp, ratio 10,13 kg/hp. 218i Convertible F44: 136 hp, ratio 11,47 kg/hp.

218d xDrive F22: 209 km/h. 218i Convertible F44: 207 km/h.