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

BMW 420i xDrive G22 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 · 2021 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

420i xDrive G22

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,590 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

218d F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 420i xDrive G22

7.74 s

Gap1.11 sin favour of 420i xDrive
BBMW 218d F22

8.85 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure420i xDrive G22218d F22Gap
0–100 km/h7.74 s8.85 s1.11 s · 420i xDrive G22
400 m standing start15.61 s16.56 s0.95 s · 420i xDrive G22
1,000 m standing start28.72 s30.13 s1.41 s · 420i xDrive G22
Top speed (electronically limited)234 km/h210 km/h24 km/h · 420i xDrive G22
Power-to-weight ratio8.64 kg/hp9.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · 420i xDrive G22

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol420i xDrive G22
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.
Stage420i xDrive G22218d F22
0–30 km/h1.38 s2.11 s
0–50 km/h2.58 s3.45 s
0–80 km/h5.26 s6.26 s
0–100 km/h7.74 s8.85 s
0–120 km/h10.94 s12.29 s
0–160 km/h20.29 s23.20 s
0–200 km/h38.25 s53.82 s
400 m standing start15.61 s16.56 s
1,000 m standing start28.72 s30.13 s
Top speed234 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

420i xDrive G22

8,64kg/hpratio better by 0,99 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 590 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d F22

9,63kg/hpcompensated by −145 kg
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 420i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.74 s versus 8.85 s for the 218d. At this point, the 420i xDrive leads by 1.11 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 420i xDrive is doing 115 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218d. The gap is 0.82 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 420i xDrive crosses the line in 15.61 s versus 16.56 s. The 0.95 s gap represents roughly 36 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 420i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 160 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420i xDrive finishes in 28.71 s versus 30.12 s, with a 1.41 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 420i xDrive is capped at 238 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 (8.64 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 1.11 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, 420i xDrive G22 wins (7,74 s vs 8,85 s).

420i xDrive G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,74 seconds (calibrated simulation).

420i xDrive G22: 184 hp, ratio 8,64 kg/hp. 218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,63 kg/hp.

420i xDrive G22: 234 km/h. 218d F22: 210 km/h.