Over 0–100 km/h, 540i xDrive G30 wins (4,75 s vs 7,12 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 540i xDrive G30 | 120i F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,75 s−2,38 s | 7,12 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s−2,32 s | 15,22 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,23 s−4,30 s | 27,53 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+25 km/h | 225 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,88 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 540i xDrive G30 | 120i F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,31 s | 1,79 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,19 s | 2,99 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,55 s | 5,16 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,75 s | 7,12 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,21 s | 9,70 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,17 s | 16,79 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,06 s | 29,61 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s | 15,22 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,23 s | 27,53 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 225 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 660 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 540i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.75 s versus 7.12 s for the Bmw 120i. At this point, the Bmw 540i xDrive leads by 2.38 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 540i xDrive is doing 145 km/h against 122 km/h for the Bmw 120i. The gap is 1.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 540i xDrive crosses the line in 12.90 s versus 15.22 s. The 2.32 s gap represents roughly 95 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 540i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 203 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 540i xDrive finishes in 23.22 s versus 27.52 s, with a 4.30 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 540i xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 120i 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 (4.88 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.27 seconds. The 2.38 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 540i xDrive G30 wins (4,75 s vs 7,12 s).
540i xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,75 seconds (calibrated simulation).
540i xDrive G30: 340 hp, ratio 4,88 kg/hp. 120i F20LCI: 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
540i xDrive G30: 250 km/h. 120i F20LCI: 225 km/h.