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

BMW 220i Convertible F44 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 · 2021 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

220i Convertible F44

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,580 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

218d F22

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,420 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 220i Convertible F44

7.60 s

Gap0.75 sin favour of 220i Convertible
BBMW 218d F22

8.35 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure220i Convertible F44218d F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.60 s8.35 s0.75 s · 220i Convertible F44
400 m standing start15.55 s16.18 s0.63 s · 220i Convertible F44
1,000 m standing start28.43 s29.46 s1.03 s · 220i Convertible F44
Top speed (electronically limited)226 km/h213 km/h13 km/h · 220i Convertible F44
Power-to-weight ratio8.59 kg/hp9.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · 220i Convertible F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol220i Convertible F44
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 Convertible F44218d F22
0–30 km/h1.63 s1.90 s
0–50 km/h2.76 s3.16 s
0–80 km/h5.26 s5.94 s
0–100 km/h7.60 s8.35 s
0–120 km/h10.51 s11.66 s
0–160 km/h19.24 s21.48 s
0–200 km/h36.84 s44.86 s
400 m standing start15.55 s16.18 s
1,000 m standing start28.43 s29.46 s
Top speed226 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 Convertible F44

8,59kg/hpratio better by 0,88 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 580 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d F22

9,47kg/hpcompensated by −160 kg
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 Convertible hits 100 km/h in 7.60 s versus 8.35 s for the 218d. At this point, the 220i Convertible leads by 0.75 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220i Convertible is doing 118 km/h against 114 km/h for the 218d. The gap is 0.47 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220i Convertible crosses the line in 15.54 s versus 16.17 s. The 0.63 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 Convertible continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 220i Convertible finishes in 28.42 s versus 29.45 s, with a 1.03 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (226 vs 213 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 220i Convertible is capped at 226 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 (8.59 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 0.75 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 Convertible

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 220i Convertible F44 wins (7,60 s vs 8,35 s).

220i Convertible F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,60 seconds (calibrated simulation).

220i Convertible F44: 184 hp, ratio 8,59 kg/hp. 218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,47 kg/hp.

220i Convertible F44: 226 km/h. 218d F22: 213 km/h.