Over 0–100 km/h, 218i Steptronic F44 wins (8,78 s vs 8,92 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.
| 218d xDrive F22 | 218i Steptronic F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8,92 s | 8,78 s+0,14 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,67 s | 16,44 s+0,23 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,09 s | 29,97 s+0,12 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 209 km/h | 210 km/h−1 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 10,13 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,55 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 | 218d xDrive F22 | 218i Steptronic F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,34 s | 1,90 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,76 s | 3,25 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,39 s | 6,13 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8,92 s | 8,78 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 12,25 s | 12,26 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 22,61 s | 22,94 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 48,45 s | 48,38 stight gap |
| 400 m standing start | 16,67 s | 16,44 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,09 s | 29,97 stight gap |
| Top speed | 209 km/h | 210 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 520 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 435 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 218i Steptronic hits 100 km/h in 8.78 s versus 8.92 s for the Bmw 218d xDrive. At this point, the Bmw 218i Steptronic leads by 0.14 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 218i Steptronic is doing 112 km/h against 113 km/h for the Bmw 218d xDrive. The gap is 0.30 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 218i Steptronic crosses the line in 16.44 s versus 16.67 s. The 0.23 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 218i Steptronic finishes in 29.97 s versus 30.09 s, with just 0.12 s to spare. The Bmw 218d xDrive fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw 218d xDrive and the Bmw 218i Steptronic 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 10.55 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.37 seconds. The 0.14 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, 218i Steptronic F44 wins (8,78 s vs 8,92 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 Steptronic F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,55 kg/hp.
218d xDrive F22: 209 km/h. 218i Steptronic F44: 210 km/h.