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  • Specs430i · IS

BMW 430i F32 vs Lexus IS 300 RWD: 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 2023 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

430i F32

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,545 kg · 2020

VS
LexusPetrol

IS 300 RWD

245 hp · 350 Nm · 1,695 kg · 2023

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 430i F32

5.73 s

Gap1.67 sin favour of 430i
BLexus IS 300 RWD

7.40 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure430i F32IS 300 RWDGap
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.40 s1.67 s · 430i F32
400 m standing start13.98 s15.44 s1.46 s · 430i F32
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.59 s2.24 s · 430i F32
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h225 km/h25 km/h · 430i F32
Power-to-weight ratio5.99 kg/hp6.92 kg/hpbetter ratio · 430i F32

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol430i F32
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
LexusPetrolIS 300 RWD
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.
Stage430i F32IS 300 RWD
0–30 km/h1.42 s2.08 s
0–50 km/h2.36 s3.50 s
0–80 km/h4.12 s5.55 s
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.40 s
0–120 km/h7.73 s9.77 s
0–160 km/h13.25 s16.58 s
0–200 km/h22.00 s29.90 s
400 m standing start13.98 s15.44 s
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.59 s
Top speed limited250 km/h225 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

430i F32

5,99kg/hpratio better by 0,93 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 545 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Lexus

IS 300 RWD

6,92kg/hpcompensated by −150 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power245 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 695 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed automatic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 430i hits 100 km/h in 5.73 s versus 7.40 s for the IS 300 RWD. At this point, the 430i leads by 1.67 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 430i is doing 132 km/h against 124 km/h for the IS 300 RWD. The gap is 1.19 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 430i crosses the line in 13.97 s versus 15.44 s. The 1.46 s gap represents roughly 62 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 430i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 173 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 430i finishes in 25.35 s versus 27.59 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 430i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the IS 300 RWD at 225 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 (5.99 kg/hp vs 6.92 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.11 seconds. The 1.67 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, 430i F32 wins (5,73 s vs 7,40 s).

430i F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

430i F32: 258 hp, ratio 5,99 kg/hp. IS 300 RWD: 245 hp, ratio 6,92 kg/hp.

430i F32: 250 km/h. IS 300 RWD: 225 km/h.