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A420iPetrolvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs420i · 218d

BMW 420i F32 vs BMW 218d Convertible 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

420i F32

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

218d Convertible F22

150 hp · 320 Nm · 1,565 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 420i F32

7.44 s

Gap1.68 sin favour of 420i
BBMW 218d Convertible F22

9.12 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure420i F32218d Convertible F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.44 s9.12 s1.68 s · 420i F32
400 m standing start15.38 s16.65 s1.27 s · 420i F32
1,000 m standing start28.23 s30.48 s2.25 s · 420i F32
Top speed (electronically limited)238 km/h208 km/h30 km/h · 420i F32
Power-to-weight ratio8.29 kg/hp10.43 kg/hpbetter ratio · 420i F32

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol420i F32
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel218d Convertible 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.
Stage420i F32218d Convertible F22
0–30 km/h1.42 s1.81 s
0–50 km/h2.53 s3.17 s
0–80 km/h5.09 s6.35 s
0–100 km/h7.44 s9.12 s
0–120 km/h10.39 s12.95 s
0–160 km/h19.05 s24.66 s
0–200 km/h35.17 s57.98 s
400 m standing start15.38 s16.65 s
1,000 m standing start28.23 s30.48 s
Top speed238 km/h208 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

420i F32

8,29kg/hpratio better by 2,15 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d Convertible F22

10,43kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 565 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 420i hits 100 km/h in 7.44 s versus 9.12 s for the 218d Convertible. At this point, the 420i leads by 1.68 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 420i is doing 117 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218d Convertible. The gap is 0.86 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 16.65 s. The 1.26 s gap represents roughly 47 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 420i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 152 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420i finishes in 28.23 s versus 30.48 s, with a 2.25 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 420i is capped at 240 km/h, the 218d Convertible at 208 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 (8.29 kg/hp vs 10.43 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.20 seconds. The 1.68 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 9,12 s).

420i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).

420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp. 218d Convertible F22: 150 hp, ratio 10,43 kg/hp.

420i F32: 238 km/h. 218d Convertible F22: 208 km/h.