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A218iPetrolvsB216dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs218i · 216d

BMW 218i F44 vs BMW 216d Steptronic 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 · 2021 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

218i F44

136 hp · 220 Nm · 1,370 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

216d Steptronic F44

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 218i F44

9.24 s

Gap1.73 sin favour of 218i
BBMW 216d Steptronic F44

10.97 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure218i F44216d Steptronic F44Gap
0–100 km/h9.24 s10.97 s1.73 s · 218i F44
400 m standing start16.79 s17.48 s0.69 s · 218i F44
1,000 m standing start30.66 s32.78 s2.12 s · 218i F44
Top speed (electronically limited)205 km/h187 km/h18 km/h · 218i F44
Power-to-weight ratio10.07 kg/hp12.33 kg/hpbetter ratio · 218i F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol218i F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel216d Steptronic 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.
Stage218i F44216d Steptronic F44
0–30 km/h2.04 s1.43 s
0–50 km/h3.43 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h6.45 s7.02 s
0–100 km/h9.24 s10.97 s
0–120 km/h12.98 s16.36 s
0–160 km/h25.02 s36.58 s
0–200 km/h68.09 s-
400 m standing start16.79 s17.48 s
1,000 m standing start30.66 s32.78 s
Top speed205 km/h187 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

218i F44

10,07kg/hpratio better by 2,25 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power136 hp3 cyl
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 370 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual
BMW

216d Steptronic F44

12,33kg/hpcompensated by −60 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hp3 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic with double clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 218i hits 100 km/h in 9.24 s versus 10.97 s for the 216d Steptronic. The 1.73 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 218i is doing 110 km/h against 101 km/h for the 216d Steptronic. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 218i crosses the line in 16.79 s versus 17.48 s. The 0.69 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 218i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 152 km/h versus 138 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 218i finishes in 30.65 s versus 32.78 s, with a 2.12 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 218i is capped at 205 km/h, the 216d Steptronic at 194 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 (10.07 kg/hp vs 12.33 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 19.84 seconds. The 1.73 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.

Instead of 218i F44
Audi A3 Sedan
Instead of 216d Steptronic F44
Audi A3 Sedan

Other duels you might be interested in

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A3 allstreet vs 218i

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A3 Sedan vs 216d Steptronic

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A3 allstreet vs 218i

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A3 Sportback vs 216d Steptronic

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 218i F44 wins (9,24 s vs 10,97 s).

218i F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,24 seconds (calibrated simulation).

218i F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,07 kg/hp. 216d Steptronic F44: 116 hp, ratio 12,33 kg/hp.

218i F44: 205 km/h. 216d Steptronic F44: 187 km/h.