BMW 220d Convertible F22 vs MINI Cooper SE FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 7.66 s for the 220d Convertible. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.34 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Cooper SE FWD is doing 124 km/h against 120 km/h for the 220d Convertible. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper SE FWD crosses the line in 15.46 s versus 15.71 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Cooper SE FWD maxes out at 150 km/h while the 220d Convertible keeps accelerating towards 225 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.00 s.

Around 602 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 220d Convertible overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 75 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 220d Convertible finishes in 28.34 s versus 29.86 s. The 1.52 s delta in favour of the 220d Convertible shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 220d Convertible is capped at 225 km/h, the Cooper SE FWD at 150 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.00 seconds. The 0.34 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.