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A220iPetrolvsB120dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs220i · 120d

BMW 220i F22 vs BMW 120d F40: 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
BMWPetrol

220i F22

192 hp · 280 Nm · 1,405 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDieselFaster

120d F40

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 220i F22

7.48 s

Gap0.10 sin favour of 120d
BBMW 120d F40

7.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure220i F22120d F40Gap
0–100 km/h7.48 s7.38 s0.10 s · 120d F40
400 m standing start15.53 s15.41 s0.12 s · 120d F40
1,000 m standing start27.74 s27.90 s0.16 s · 220i F22
Top speed (electronically limited)229 km/h231 km/h2 km/h · 120d F40
Power-to-weight ratio7.32 kg/hp7.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · 220i F22

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol220i F22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel120d F40
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.
Stage220i F22120d F40
0–30 km/h2.14 s1.87 s
0–50 km/h3.53 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h5.65 s5.29 s
0–100 km/h7.48 s7.38 s · tight gap
0–120 km/h9.85 s · tight gap9.97 s
0–160 km/h16.83 s17.66 s
0–200 km/h30.20 s32.84 s
400 m standing start15.53 s15.41 s · tight gap
1,000 m standing start27.74 s27.90 s
Top speed229 km/h231 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

220i F22

7,32kg/hpratio better by 0,31 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power192 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 405 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic with double clutch
BMW

120d F40

7,63kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120d hits 100 km/h in 7.38 s versus 7.48 s for the 220i. At this point, the 120d leads by 0.10 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120d is doing 121 km/h against 124 km/h for the 220i. The gap is 0.25 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120d crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 15.53 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 229 km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 229 km/h.

At 1,000 metres, the 220i finishes in 27.73 s versus 27.90 s. The 0.16 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 220i and the 120d are governed to 229 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 (7.32 kg/hp vs 7.63 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.54 seconds. The 0.10 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 120d F40
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kWAudi A3 allstreet

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BMWVSAudi

120d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120d F40 wins (7,38 s vs 7,48 s).

220i F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,48 seconds (calibrated simulation).

220i F22: 192 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp. 120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp.

220i F22: 229 km/h. 120d F40: 231 km/h.