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AM4vsB420iPetrol
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  • SpecsM4 · 420i

BMW M4 Competition Coupe F82 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.

saloon · 2018 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M4 Competition Coupe F82

450 hp · 550 Nm · 1,570 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

420i F32

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M4 Competition Coupe F82

4.17 s

Gap3.27 sin favour of M4 Competition Coupe
BBMW 420i F32

7.44 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM4 Competition Coupe F82420i F32Gap
0–100 km/h4.17 s7.44 s3.27 s · M4 Competition Coupe F82
400 m standing start12.16 s15.38 s3.22 s · M4 Competition Coupe F82
1,000 m standing start21.88 s28.23 s6.35 s · M4 Competition Coupe F82
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h238 km/h12 km/h · M4 Competition Coupe F82
Power-to-weight ratio3.49 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · M4 Competition Coupe F82

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM4 Competition Coupe F82
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.
StageM4 Competition Coupe F82420i F32
0–30 km/h1.18 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h1.97 s2.53 s
0–80 km/h3.13 s5.09 s
0–100 km/h4.17 s7.44 s
0–120 km/h5.38 s10.39 s
0–160 km/h8.56 s19.05 s
0–200 km/h13.08 s35.17 s
400 m standing start12.16 s15.38 s
1,000 m standing start21.88 s28.23 s
Top speed limited250 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

M4 Competition Coupe F82

3,49kg/hpratio better by 4,80 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power450 hp6 cyl
Torque550 Nm
Weight1 570 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (7-speed M Steptronic with double clutch and Drivelogic)
BMW

420i F32

8,29kg/hp
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 M4 Competition Coupe hits 100 km/h in 4.17 s versus 7.44 s for the 420i. At this point, the M4 Competition Coupe leads by 3.27 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M4 Competition Coupe is doing 154 km/h against 117 km/h for the 420i. The gap is 1.90 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M4 Competition Coupe crosses the line in 12.15 s versus 15.38 s. The 3.23 s gap represents roughly 124 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M4 Competition Coupe continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 216 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M4 Competition Coupe finishes in 21.87 s versus 28.23 s, with a 6.35 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 238 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the M4 Competition Coupe is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.49 kg/hp vs 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.15 seconds. The 3.27 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, M4 Competition Coupe F82 wins (4,17 s vs 7,44 s).

M4 Competition Coupe F82 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M4 Competition Coupe F82: 450 hp, ratio 3,49 kg/hp. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

M4 Competition Coupe F82: 250 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.