Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive20i G29 wins (6,65 s vs 7,75 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Z4 sDrive20i G29 | 420d Convertible G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,65 s−1,10 s | 7,75 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,83 s−0,81 s | 15,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,78 s−1,91 s | 28,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+4 km/h | 236 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,13 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,34 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Z4 sDrive20i G29 | 420d Convertible G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,71 s | 1,52 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,87 s | 2,64 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,86 s | 5,29 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,65 s | 7,75 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,95 s | 10,87 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15,48 s | 20,11 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 26,97 s | 37,54 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,83 s | 15,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,78 s | 28,69 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 236 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 197 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 405 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 775 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Z4 sDrive20i hits 100 km/h in 6.65 s versus 7.75 s for the 420d Convertible. At this point, the Z4 sDrive20i leads by 1.10 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Z4 sDrive20i is doing 126 km/h against 116 km/h for the 420d Convertible. The gap is 0.34 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Z4 sDrive20i crosses the line in 14.82 s versus 15.64 s. The 0.82 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Z4 sDrive20i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Z4 sDrive20i finishes in 26.78 s versus 28.69 s, with a 1.91 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 236 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Z4 sDrive20i is capped at 240 km/h, the 420d Convertible at 236 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 (7.13 kg/hp vs 9.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.82 seconds. The 1.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive20i G29 wins (6,65 s vs 7,75 s).
Z4 sDrive20i G29 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Z4 sDrive20i G29: 197 hp, ratio 7,13 kg/hp. 420d Convertible G22: 190 hp, ratio 9,34 kg/hp.
Z4 sDrive20i G29: 240 km/h. 420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h.