Over 0–100 km/h, 230i Convertible F22 wins (5,86 s vs 6,15 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 230i Convertible F22 | 125i F20LCI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.86 s | 6.15 s | 0.29 s · 230i Convertible F22 |
| 400 m standing start | 14.21 s | 14.36 s | 0.15 s · 230i Convertible F22 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26.01 s | 25.91 s | 0.10 s · 125i F20LCI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 243 km/h | 7 km/h · 230i Convertible F22 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6.25 kg/hp | 6.25 kg/hp | Same |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 230i Convertible F22 | 125i F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.38 s | 1.66 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.29 s | 2.77 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.18 s | 4.57 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.86 s | 6.15 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8.10 s · tight gap | 8.17 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14.44 s | 13.86 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 24.93 s | 23.72 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14.21 s · tight gap | 14.36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26.01 s | 25.91 s · tight gap |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 243 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 575 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 224 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 310 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 400 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the 230i Convertible hits 100 km/h in 5.86 s versus 6.15 s for the 125i. At this point, the 230i Convertible leads by 0.29 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 230i Convertible is doing 129 km/h against 131 km/h for the 125i. The gap is 0.26 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 230i Convertible crosses the line in 14.21 s versus 14.35 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 125i maxes out at 243 km/h while the 230i Convertible keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.05 s.
Around 711 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 125i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 7 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the 125i finishes in 25.91 s versus 26.01 s. The 0.10 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 230i Convertible is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 125i at 243 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 (6.25 kg/hp vs 6.25 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.35 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 230i Convertible F22 wins (5,86 s vs 6,15 s).
230i Convertible F22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,86 seconds (calibrated simulation).
230i Convertible F22: 252 hp, ratio 6,25 kg/hp. 125i F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,25 kg/hp.
230i Convertible F22: 250 km/h. 125i F20LCI: 243 km/h.