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AM2vsBZ4Petrol
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  • SpecsM2 · Z4

BMW M2 G87 vs BMW Z4 M40i G29: 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.

compact · 2023 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M2 G87

460 hp · 550 Nm · 1,730 kg · 2023

VS
BMWPetrol

Z4 M40i G29

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,555 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M2 G87

4.12 s

Gap0.43 sin favour of M2
BBMW Z4 M40i G29

4.54 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM2 G87Z4 M40i G29Gap
0–100 km/h4.12 s4.54 s0.43 s · M2 G87
400 m standing start12.08 s12.72 s0.64 s · M2 G87
1,000 m standing start21.81 s23.00 s1.19 s · M2 G87
Top speed (electronically limited)285 km/h250 km/h35 km/h · M2 G87
Power-to-weight ratio3.76 kg/hp4.57 kg/hpbetter ratio · M2 G87

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM2 G87
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrolZ4 M40i G29
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.
StageM2 G87Z4 M40i G29
0–30 km/h1.17 s · tight gap1.26 s
0–50 km/h1.95 s2.11 s
0–80 km/h3.06 s3.41 s
0–100 km/h4.12 s4.54 s
0–120 km/h5.26 s5.97 s
0–160 km/h8.46 s9.81 s
0–200 km/h13.14 s15.62 s
400 m standing start12.08 s12.72 s
1,000 m standing start21.81 s23.00 s
Top speed limited285 km/h250 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

M2 G87

3,76kg/hpratio better by 0,81 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power460 hpPending
Torque550 Nm
Weight1 730 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed M Steptronic
BMW

Z4 M40i G29

4,57kg/hpcompensated by −175 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 555 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M2 hits 100 km/h in 4.12 s versus 4.55 s for the Z4 M40i. At this point, the M2 leads by 0.43 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M2 is doing 155 km/h against 147 km/h for the Z4 M40i. The gap is 0.39 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the M2 crosses the line in 12.08 s versus 12.71 s. The 0.63 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M2 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 204 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M2 finishes in 21.80 s versus 23.00 s, with a 1.20 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M2 is capped at 285 km/h, the Z4 M40i at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 (3.76 kg/hp vs 4.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 6.79 seconds. The 0.43 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, M2 G87 wins (4,12 s vs 4,54 s).

M2 G87 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,12 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M2 G87: 460 hp, ratio 3,76 kg/hp. Z4 M40i G29: 340 hp, ratio 4,57 kg/hp.

M2 G87: 285 km/h. Z4 M40i G29: 250 km/h.