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A320dDieselvsB218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs320d · 218i

BMW 320d G20 vs BMW 218i Coupé G42: 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 · 2019 vs 2022 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

320d G20

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2019

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Coupé G42

156 hp · 250 Nm · 1,485 kg · 2022

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 320d G20

7.03 s

Gap1.62 sin favour of 320d
BBMW 218i Coupé G42

8.65 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure320d G20218i Coupé G42Gap
0–100 km/h7.03 s8.65 s1.62 s · 320d G20
400 m standing start15.13 s16.29 s1.16 s · 320d G20
1,000 m standing start27.24 s29.82 s2.58 s · 320d G20
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h222 km/h18 km/h · 320d G20
Power-to-weight ratio7.63 kg/hp9.52 kg/hpbetter ratio · 320d G20

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel320d G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Coupé G42
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.
Stage320d G20218i Coupé G42
0–30 km/h1.81 s1.72 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h3.00 s3.00 s
0–80 km/h5.11 s5.92 s
0–100 km/h7.03 s8.65 s
0–120 km/h9.49 s12.14 s
0–160 km/h16.32 s22.81 s
0–200 km/h28.13 s46.33 s
400 m standing start15.13 s16.29 s
1,000 m standing start27.24 s29.82 s
Top speed240 km/h222 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

320d G20

7,63kg/hpratio better by 1,89 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual
BMW

218i Coupé G42

9,52kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power156 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 485 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 320d hits 100 km/h in 7.03 s versus 8.65 s for the 218i Coupé. At this point, the 320d leads by 1.62 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 320d is doing 123 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218i Coupé. The gap is 0.59 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 320d crosses the line in 15.13 s versus 16.29 s. The 1.16 s gap represents roughly 44 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 320d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 173 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320d finishes in 27.23 s versus 29.82 s, with a 2.59 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 320d is capped at 240 km/h, the 218i Coupé at 224 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 (7.63 kg/hp vs 9.52 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.27 seconds. The 1.62 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 320d G20
Audi A3 Sedan

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 320d G20 wins (7,03 s vs 8,65 s).

320d G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,03 seconds (calibrated simulation).

320d G20: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp. 218i Coupé G42: 156 hp, ratio 9,52 kg/hp.

320d G20: 240 km/h. 218i Coupé G42: 222 km/h.