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A330dDieselvsB318iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330d · 318i

BMW 330d xDrive G20 vs BMW 318i G20: 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 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

330d xDrive G20

265 hp · 580 Nm · 1,660 kg · 2019

VS
BMWPetrol

318i G20

156 hp · 250 Nm · 1,490 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330d xDrive G20

5.17 s

Gap3.16 sin favour of 330d xDrive
BBMW 318i G20

8.33 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330d xDrive G20318i G20Gap
0–100 km/h5.17 s8.33 s3.16 s · 330d xDrive G20
400 m standing start13.48 s16.07 s2.59 s · 330d xDrive G20
1,000 m standing start24.67 s29.44 s4.77 s · 330d xDrive G20
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h223 km/h27 km/h · 330d xDrive G20
Power-to-weight ratio6.26 kg/hp9.55 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330d xDrive G20

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel330d xDrive G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol318i G20
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.
Stage330d xDrive G20318i G20
0–30 km/h1.18 s1.65 s
0–50 km/h1.96 s2.89 s
0–80 km/h3.65 s5.71 s
0–100 km/h5.17 s8.33 s
0–120 km/h7.08 s11.68 s
0–160 km/h12.35 s21.84 s
0–200 km/h20.48 s43.57 s
400 m standing start13.48 s16.07 s
1,000 m standing start24.67 s29.44 s
Top speed limited250 km/h223 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

330d xDrive G20

6,26kg/hpratio better by 3,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hpPending
Torque580 Nm
Weight1 660 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

318i G20

9,55kg/hpcompensated by −170 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power156 hp4 cyl
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 490 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.17 s versus 8.33 s for the 318i. At this point, the 330d xDrive leads by 3.16 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330d xDrive is doing 135 km/h against 113 km/h for the 318i. The gap is 1.68 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330d xDrive crosses the line in 13.48 s versus 16.06 s. The 2.58 s gap represents roughly 97 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330d xDrive finishes in 24.66 s versus 29.44 s, with a 4.77 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 330d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 318i at 223 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 (6.26 kg/hp vs 9.55 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.71 seconds. The 3.16 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, 330d xDrive G20 wins (5,17 s vs 8,33 s).

330d xDrive G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).

330d xDrive G20: 265 hp, ratio 6,26 kg/hp. 318i G20: 156 hp, ratio 9,55 kg/hp.

330d xDrive G20: 250 km/h. 318i G20: 223 km/h.