Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,45 s vs 7,12 s).
Performance comparison
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 sDrive30i G29 | 120i F20LCI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,45 s−1,67 s | 7,12 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,71 s−1,51 s | 15,22 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,82 s−2,71 s | 27,53 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+25 km/h | 225 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,54 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 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 sDrive30i G29 | 120i F20LCI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,46 s | 1,79 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,42 s | 2,99 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,03 s | 5,16 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,45 s | 7,12 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,26 s | 9,70 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,26 s | 16,79 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,34 s | 29,61 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,71 s | 15,22 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,82 s | 27,53 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 225 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 258 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 430 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 375 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i hits 100 km/h in 5.45 s versus 7.12 s for the Bmw 120i. At this point, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i leads by 1.67 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i is doing 136 km/h against 122 km/h for the Bmw 120i. The gap is 0.99 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i crosses the line in 13.70 s versus 15.22 s. The 1.52 s gap represents roughly 63 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 189 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i finishes in 24.81 s versus 27.52 s, with a 2.71 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 120i at 225 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 (5.54 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.27 seconds. The 1.67 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,45 s vs 7,12 s).
Z4 sDrive30i G29 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Z4 sDrive30i G29: 258 hp, ratio 5,54 kg/hp. 120i F20LCI: 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
Z4 sDrive30i G29: 250 km/h. 120i F20LCI: 225 km/h.