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A220iPetrolvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs220i · 218d

BMW 220i F22 vs BMW 218d F22: 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
BMWPetrolFaster

220i F22

192 hp · 280 Nm · 1,405 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDiesel

218d F22

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,420 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 220i F22

7.48 s

Gap0.87 sin favour of 220i
BBMW 218d F22

8.35 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure220i F22218d F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.48 s8.35 s0.87 s · 220i F22
400 m standing start15.53 s16.18 s0.65 s · 220i F22
1,000 m standing start27.74 s29.46 s1.72 s · 220i F22
Top speed (electronically limited)229 km/h213 km/h16 km/h · 220i F22
Power-to-weight ratio7.32 kg/hp9.47 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
BMWDiesel218d F22
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 F22218d F22
0–30 km/h2.14 s1.90 s
0–50 km/h3.53 s3.16 s
0–80 km/h5.65 s5.94 s
0–100 km/h7.48 s8.35 s
0–120 km/h9.85 s11.66 s
0–160 km/h16.83 s21.48 s
0–200 km/h30.20 s44.86 s
400 m standing start15.53 s16.18 s
1,000 m standing start27.74 s29.46 s
Top speed229 km/h213 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 2,15 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power192 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 405 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed Steptronic with double clutch
BMW

218d F22

9,47kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 420 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 220i hits 100 km/h in 7.48 s versus 8.35 s for the 218d. Despite the faster sprint time, the 218d is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220i is doing 124 km/h against 114 km/h for the 218d. The gap is 0.18 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220i crosses the line in 15.53 s versus 16.17 s. The 0.64 s gap represents roughly 25 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 220i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 220i finishes in 27.73 s versus 29.45 s, with a 1.72 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 220i is capped at 229 km/h, the 218d at 213 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 (7.32 kg/hp vs 9.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.58 seconds. The 0.87 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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AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 220i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 220i F22 wins (7,48 s vs 8,35 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. 218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,47 kg/hp.

220i F22: 229 km/h. 218d F22: 213 km/h.