Over 0–100 km/h, 218i Steptronic F44 wins (8,78 s vs 9,13 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 318d F30 | 218i Steptronic F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 9,13 s | 8,78 s+0,35 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,56 s | 16,44 s+0,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,51 s | 29,97 s+0,54 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 209 km/h | 210 km/h−1 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 10,45 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,55 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 318d F30 | 218i Steptronic F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,65 s | 1,90 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,00 s | 3,25 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6,15 s | 6,13 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 9,13 s | 8,78 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 12,95 s | 12,26 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 25,23 s | 22,94 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 61,46 s | 48,38 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16,56 s | 16,44 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 30,51 s | 29,97 s |
| Top speed | 209 km/h | 210 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 143 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 495 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 220 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 435 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 218i Steptronic hits 100 km/h in 8.78 s versus 9.13 s for the Bmw 318d. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 318d is 3 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 318d is doing 109 km/h against 112 km/h for the Bmw 218i Steptronic. The gap is 0.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 218i Steptronic crosses the line in 16.44 s versus 16.56 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 218i Steptronic continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 155 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 218i Steptronic finishes in 29.97 s versus 30.51 s, with a 0.54 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (209 vs 210 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw 318d and the Bmw 218i Steptronic are governed to 210 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 (10.45 kg/hp vs 10.55 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.33 seconds. The 0.35 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, 218i Steptronic F44 wins (8,78 s vs 9,13 s).
318d F30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).
318d F30: 143 hp, ratio 10,45 kg/hp. 218i Steptronic F44: 136 hp, ratio 10,55 kg/hp.
318d F30: 209 km/h. 218i Steptronic F44: 210 km/h.