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AX3DieselvsB120iPetrol
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  • SpecsX3 · 120i

BMW X3 xDrive30d G01 vs BMW 120i 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.

family SUV · 2021 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

X3 xDrive30d G01

286 hp · 650 Nm · 1,930 kg · 2021

VS
BMWPetrol

120i F40

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW X3 xDrive30d G01

5.62 s

Gap1.33 sin favour of X3 xDrive30d
BBMW 120i F40

6.95 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureX3 xDrive30d G01120i F40Gap
0–100 km/h5.62 s6.95 s1.33 s · X3 xDrive30d G01
400 m standing start13.96 s15.05 s1.09 s · X3 xDrive30d G01
1,000 m standing start25.66 s27.31 s1.65 s · X3 xDrive30d G01
Top speed (electronically limited)245 km/h235 km/h10 km/h · X3 xDrive30d G01
Power-to-weight ratio6.75 kg/hp7.81 kg/hpbetter ratio · X3 xDrive30d G01

Watch the race

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

BMWDieselX3 xDrive30d G01
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol120i 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.
StageX3 xDrive30d G01120i F40
0–30 km/h1.33 s1.65 s
0–50 km/h2.17 s2.78 s
0–80 km/h3.95 s4.91 s
0–100 km/h5.62 s6.95 s
0–120 km/h7.75 s9.38 s
0–160 km/h13.82 s16.65 s
0–200 km/h24.31 s29.52 s
400 m standing start13.96 s15.05 s
1,000 m standing start25.66 s27.31 s
Top speed245 km/h235 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

X3 xDrive30d G01

6,75kg/hpratio better by 1,06 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hp6 cyl
Torque650 Nm
Weight1 930 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

120i F40

7,81kg/hpcompensated by −540 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the X3 xDrive30d hits 100 km/h in 5.62 s versus 6.95 s for the 120i. At this point, the X3 xDrive30d leads by 1.33 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the X3 xDrive30d is doing 130 km/h against 123 km/h for the 120i. The gap is 0.80 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X3 xDrive30d crosses the line in 13.96 s versus 15.05 s. The 1.09 s gap represents roughly 45 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the X3 xDrive30d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 180 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X3 xDrive30d finishes in 25.66 s versus 27.31 s, with a 1.65 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (245 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the X3 xDrive30d is capped at 245 km/h, the 120i at 235 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 (6.75 kg/hp vs 7.81 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.01 seconds. The 1.33 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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A3 Sedan vs 120i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, X3 xDrive30d G01 wins (5,62 s vs 6,95 s).

X3 xDrive30d G01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,62 seconds (calibrated simulation).

X3 xDrive30d G01: 286 hp, ratio 6,75 kg/hp. 120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp.

X3 xDrive30d G01: 245 km/h. 120i F40: 235 km/h.