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A320iPetrolvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs320i · 218d

BMW 320i G20 vs BMW 218d xDrive 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 · 2019 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

320i G20

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,460 kg · 2019

VS
BMWDiesel

218d xDrive F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,520 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 320i G20

7.05 s

Gap1.87 sin favour of 320i
BBMW 218d xDrive F22

8.92 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure320i G20218d xDrive F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.05 s8.92 s1.87 s · 320i G20
400 m standing start15.12 s16.67 s1.55 s · 320i G20
1,000 m standing start27.81 s30.09 s2.28 s · 320i G20
Top speed (electronically limited)234 km/h209 km/h25 km/h · 320i G20
Power-to-weight ratio7.93 kg/hp10.13 kg/hpbetter ratio · 320i G20

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol320i G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel218d xDrive 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.
Stage320i G20218d xDrive F22
0–30 km/h1.38 s2.34 s
0–50 km/h2.44 s3.76 s
0–80 km/h4.84 s6.39 s
0–100 km/h7.05 s8.92 s
0–120 km/h9.85 s12.25 s
0–160 km/h18.13 s22.61 s
0–200 km/h33.99 s48.45 s
400 m standing start15.12 s16.67 s
1,000 m standing start27.81 s30.09 s
Top speed234 km/h209 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

320i G20

7,93kg/hpratio better by 2,20 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 460 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d xDrive F22

10,13kg/hpcompensated by −60 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 520 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 320i hits 100 km/h in 7.05 s versus 8.92 s for the 218d xDrive. At this point, the 320i leads by 1.87 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 320i is doing 119 km/h against 113 km/h for the 218d xDrive. The gap is 1.27 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 320i crosses the line in 15.11 s versus 16.67 s. The 1.56 s gap represents roughly 59 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 320i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320i finishes in 27.81 s versus 30.09 s, with a 2.28 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 320i is capped at 235 km/h, the 218d xDrive at 209 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 (7.93 kg/hp vs 10.13 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.27 seconds. The 1.87 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 320i G20 wins (7,05 s vs 8,92 s).

320i G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,05 seconds (calibrated simulation).

320i G20: 184 hp, ratio 7,93 kg/hp. 218d xDrive F22: 150 hp, ratio 10,13 kg/hp.

320i G20: 234 km/h. 218d xDrive F22: 209 km/h.