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A318iPetrolvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs318i · 218d

BMW 318i G20 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.

saloon · 2020 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

318i G20

156 hp · 250 Nm · 1,490 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

218d F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 318i G20

8.33 s

Gap0.52 sin favour of 318i
BBMW 218d F22

8.85 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure318i G20218d F22Gap
0–100 km/h8.33 s8.85 s0.52 s · 318i G20
400 m standing start16.07 s16.56 s0.49 s · 318i G20
1,000 m standing start29.44 s30.13 s0.69 s · 318i G20
Top speed (electronically limited)223 km/h210 km/h13 km/h · 318i G20
Power-to-weight ratio9.55 kg/hp9.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · 318i G20

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol318i G20
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.
Stage318i G20218d F22
0–30 km/h1.65 s2.11 s
0–50 km/h2.89 s3.45 s
0–80 km/h5.71 s6.26 s
0–100 km/h8.33 s8.85 s
0–120 km/h11.68 s12.29 s
0–160 km/h21.84 s23.20 s
0–200 km/h43.57 s53.82 s
400 m standing start16.07 s16.56 s
1,000 m standing start29.44 s30.13 s
Top speed223 km/h210 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

318i G20

9,55kg/hpratio better by 0,08 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power156 hp4 cyl
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 490 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d F22

9,63kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 318i hits 100 km/h in 8.33 s versus 8.85 s for the 218d. At this point, the 318i leads by 0.52 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 318i is doing 113 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218d. The gap is 0.46 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 318i crosses the line in 16.06 s versus 16.56 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 318i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 157 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 318i finishes in 29.44 s versus 30.12 s, with a 0.69 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (223 vs 210 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 318i is capped at 223 km/h, the 218d at 210 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 (9.55 kg/hp vs 9.63 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.40 seconds. The 0.52 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 318i G20
Audi A3 Sedan
Instead of 218d F22
Audi A5 Sedan

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSAudi

318i vs A5 Avant

BMWVSAudi

218d vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

318i vs A5 Sedan

BMWVSAudi

218d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 318i G20 wins (8,33 s vs 8,85 s).

318i G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,33 seconds (calibrated simulation).

318i G20: 156 hp, ratio 9,55 kg/hp. 218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,63 kg/hp.

318i G20: 223 km/h. 218d F22: 210 km/h.