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A220dDieselvsB120iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs220d · 120i

BMW 220d Convertible F22 vs BMW 120i F20LCI: 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 2018 · Methodology
BMWDiesel

220d Convertible F22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,585 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

120i F20LCI

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 220d Convertible F22

7.66 s

Gap0.54 sin favour of 120i
BBMW 120i F20LCI

7.12 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure220d Convertible F22120i F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h7.66 s7.12 s0.54 s · 120i F20LCI
400 m standing start15.71 s15.22 s0.49 s · 120i F20LCI
1,000 m standing start28.34 s27.53 s0.81 s · 120i F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h225 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio8.34 kg/hp7.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120i F20LCI

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel220d Convertible F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol120i F20LCI
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.
Stage220d Convertible F22120i F20LCI
0–30 km/h2.09 s1.79 s
0–50 km/h3.33 s2.99 s
0–80 km/h5.56 s5.16 s
0–100 km/h7.66 s7.12 s
0–120 km/h10.36 s9.70 s
0–160 km/h18.42 s16.79 s
0–200 km/h34.57 s29.61 s
400 m standing start15.71 s15.22 s
1,000 m standing start28.34 s27.53 s
Top speed225 km/h225 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

220d Convertible F22

8,34kg/hpcompensated by −210 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 585 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)
BMW

120i F20LCI

7,47kg/hpratio better by 0,87 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120i hits 100 km/h in 7.12 s versus 7.66 s for the 220d Convertible. At this point, the 120i leads by 0.54 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120i is doing 122 km/h against 120 km/h for the 220d Convertible. The gap is 0.39 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120i crosses the line in 15.22 s versus 15.71 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 167 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120i finishes in 27.52 s versus 28.34 s, with a 0.82 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (225 vs 225 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 220d Convertible and the 120i are governed to 225 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 (8.34 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.00 seconds. The 0.54 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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BMWVSAudi

220d Convertible vs A3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI wins (7,12 s vs 7,66 s).

220d Convertible F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,66 seconds (calibrated simulation).

220d Convertible F22: 190 hp, ratio 8,34 kg/hp. 120i F20LCI: 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.

220d Convertible F22: 225 km/h. 120i F20LCI: 225 km/h.