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A430iPetrolvsB420dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs430i · 420d

BMW 430i G22 vs BMW 420d G22: 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 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

430i G22

258 hp · 400 Nm · 1,545 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 430i G22

5.73 s

Gap1.31 sin favour of 430i
BBMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure430i G22420d G22Gap
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.04 s1.31 s · 430i G22
400 m standing start13.98 s15.11 s1.13 s · 430i G22
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.78 s2.43 s · 430i G22
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · 430i G22
Power-to-weight ratio5.99 kg/hp8.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 430i G22

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol430i G22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d G22
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 G22420d G22
0–30 km/h1.42 s1.37 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.36 s · tight gap2.40 s
0–80 km/h4.12 s4.80 s
0–100 km/h5.73 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h7.73 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h13.25 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h22.00 s33.30 s
400 m standing start13.98 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start25.35 s27.78 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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 G22

5,99kg/hpratio better by 2,46 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 545 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

420d G22

8,45kg/hpcompensated by −60 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 430i hits 100 km/h in 5.73 s versus 7.04 s for the 420d. At this point, the 430i leads by 1.31 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 430i is doing 132 km/h against 119 km/h for the 420d. The gap is 0.59 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 430i crosses the line in 13.97 s versus 15.10 s. The 1.13 s gap represents roughly 45 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 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 430i finishes in 25.35 s versus 27.77 s, with a 2.43 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

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 420d at 240 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 8.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.60 seconds. The 1.31 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, 430i G22 wins (5,73 s vs 7,04 s).

430i G22 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

430i G22: 258 hp, ratio 5,99 kg/hp. 420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

430i G22: 250 km/h. 420d G22: 240 km/h.