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AiXBEVvsB420iPetrol
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  • SpecsiX · 420i

BMW iX xDrive40 vs BMW 420i F32: 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.

large SUV · 2021 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

iX xDrive40

326 hp · 630 Nm · 2,440 kg · 2021

VS
BMWPetrol

420i F32

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW iX xDrive40

6.04 s

Gap1.40 sin favour of iX xDrive40
BBMW 420i F32

7.44 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureiX xDrive40420i F32Gap
0–100 km/h6.04 s7.44 s1.40 s · iX xDrive40
400 m standing start14.37 s15.38 s1.01 s · iX xDrive40
1,000 m standing start26.37 s28.23 s1.86 s · iX xDrive40
Top speed (electronically limited)200 km/h238 km/h38 km/h · 420i F32
Power-to-weight ratio7.48 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · iX xDrive40

Watch the race

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

BMWBEViX xDrive40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol420i F32
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.
StageiX xDrive40420i F32
0–30 km/h1.42 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h2.37 s2.53 s
0–80 km/h4.25 s5.09 s
0–100 km/h6.04 s7.44 s
0–120 km/h8.34 s10.39 s
0–160 km/h15.21 s19.05 s
0–200 km/h26.44 s35.17 s
400 m standing start14.37 s15.38 s
1,000 m standing start26.37 s28.23 s
Top speed200 km/h238 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

iX xDrive40

7,48kg/hpratio better by 0,80 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power326 hpPending
Torque630 Nm
Weight2 440 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed reduction gear
BMW

420i F32

8,29kg/hpcompensated by −915 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the iX xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.04 s versus 7.44 s for the 420i. The instant torque of 630 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the iX xDrive40 leads by 1.40 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the iX xDrive40 is doing 127 km/h against 117 km/h for the 420i. The gap is 0.63 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the iX xDrive40 crosses the line in 14.36 s versus 15.38 s. The 1.02 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the iX xDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the iX xDrive40 finishes in 26.37 s versus 28.23 s, with a 1.86 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (238 km/h), the 420i never recovers its launch deficit.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the iX xDrive40 is capped at 200 km/h, the 420i 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.15 seconds. The 1.40 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, iX xDrive40 wins (6,04 s vs 7,44 s).

iX xDrive40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).

iX xDrive40: 326 hp, ratio 7,48 kg/hp. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

iX xDrive40: 200 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.