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AM240iPetrolvsB120dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsM240i · 120d

BMW M240i F44 vs BMW 120d F20LCI: 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 · 2020 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M240i F44

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

120d F20LCI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,415 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M240i F44

4.67 s

Gap2.49 sin favour of M240i
BBMW 120d F20LCI

7.15 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM240i F44120d F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h4.67 s7.15 s2.49 s · M240i F44
400 m standing start12.78 s15.30 s2.52 s · M240i F44
1,000 m standing start23.04 s27.54 s4.50 s · M240i F44
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h228 km/h22 km/h · M240i F44
Power-to-weight ratio4.49 kg/hp7.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · M240i F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM240i F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel120d F20LCI
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.
StageM240i F44120d F20LCI
0–30 km/h1.33 s2.05 s
0–50 km/h2.21 s3.27 s
0–80 km/h3.53 s5.29 s
0–100 km/h4.67 s7.15 s
0–120 km/h6.03 s9.55 s
0–160 km/h9.80 s16.63 s
0–200 km/h15.53 s30.38 s
400 m standing start12.78 s15.30 s
1,000 m standing start23.04 s27.54 s
Top speed limited250 km/h228 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

M240i F44

4,49kg/hpratio better by 2,96 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
BMW

120d F20LCI

7,45kg/hpcompensated by −110 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 415 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M240i hits 100 km/h in 4.67 s versus 7.15 s for the 120d. At this point, the M240i leads by 2.49 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M240i is doing 147 km/h against 124 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 1.71 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M240i crosses the line in 12.78 s versus 15.30 s. The 2.52 s gap represents roughly 103 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M240i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M240i finishes in 23.03 s versus 27.53 s, with a 4.50 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M240i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 120d at 228 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 (4.49 kg/hp vs 7.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.99 seconds. The 2.49 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, M240i F44 wins (4,67 s vs 7,15 s).

M240i F44 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,67 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M240i F44: 340 hp, ratio 4,49 kg/hp. 120d F20LCI: 190 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp.

M240i F44: 250 km/h. 120d F20LCI: 228 km/h.