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A840iPetrolvsB120dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs840i · 120d

BMW 840i xDrive G15 vs BMW 120d F40: 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.

limousine · 2020 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

840i xDrive G15

333 hp · 500 Nm · 1,795 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

120d F40

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 840i xDrive G15

4.82 s

Gap2.56 sin favour of 840i xDrive
BBMW 120d F40

7.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure840i xDrive G15120d F40Gap
0–100 km/h4.82 s7.38 s2.56 s · 840i xDrive G15
400 m standing start13.06 s15.41 s2.35 s · 840i xDrive G15
1,000 m standing start23.73 s27.90 s4.17 s · 840i xDrive G15
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h231 km/h19 km/h · 840i xDrive G15
Power-to-weight ratio5.39 kg/hp7.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · 840i xDrive G15

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol840i xDrive G15
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel120d F40
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.
Stage840i xDrive G15120d F40
0–30 km/h1.23 s1.87 s
0–50 km/h2.05 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h3.49 s5.29 s
0–100 km/h4.82 s7.38 s
0–120 km/h6.43 s9.97 s
0–160 km/h10.86 s17.66 s
0–200 km/h17.56 s32.84 s
400 m standing start13.06 s15.41 s
1,000 m standing start23.73 s27.90 s
Top speed limited250 km/h231 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

840i xDrive G15

5,39kg/hpratio better by 2,24 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power333 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 795 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

120d F40

7,63kg/hpcompensated by −345 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 840i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.82 s versus 7.38 s for the 120d. At this point, the 840i xDrive leads by 2.56 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 840i xDrive is doing 141 km/h against 121 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 1.61 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 840i xDrive crosses the line in 13.06 s versus 15.41 s. The 2.35 s gap represents roughly 94 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 840i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 197 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 840i xDrive finishes in 23.73 s versus 27.90 s, with a 4.17 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 840i xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 120d at 231 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 (5.39 kg/hp vs 7.63 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.54 seconds. The 2.56 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, 840i xDrive G15 wins (4,82 s vs 7,38 s).

840i xDrive G15 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,82 seconds (calibrated simulation).

840i xDrive G15: 333 hp, ratio 5,39 kg/hp. 120d F40: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp.

840i xDrive G15: 250 km/h. 120d F40: 231 km/h.