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A296PHEVvsB420iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs296 · 420i

Ferrari 296 GTB 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.

sports car · 2022 vs 2020 · Methodology
FerrariPHEVFaster

296 GTB

620 hp · 740 Nm · 1,540 kg · 2022

VS
BMWPetrol

420i F32

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFerrari 296 GTB

2.94 s

Gap4.50 sin favour of 296 GTB
BBMW 420i F32

7.44 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure296 GTB420i F32Gap
0–100 km/h2.94 s7.44 s4.50 s · 296 GTB
400 m standing start10.30 s15.38 s5.08 s · 296 GTB
1,000 m standing start18.57 s28.23 s9.66 s · 296 GTB
Top speed (electronically limited)338 km/h238 km/h100 km/h · 296 GTB
Power-to-weight ratio2.48 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · 296 GTB

Watch the race

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

FerrariPHEV296 GTB
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.
Stage296 GTB420i F32
0–30 km/h0.88 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h1.47 s2.53 s
0–80 km/h2.35 s5.09 s
0–100 km/h2.94 s7.44 s
0–120 km/h3.63 s10.39 s
0–160 km/h5.42 s19.05 s
0–200 km/h7.92 s35.17 s
400 m standing start10.30 s15.38 s
1,000 m standing start18.57 s28.23 s
Top speed338 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.

Ferrari

296 GTB

2,48kg/hpratio better by 5,80 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power620 hpPending
Torque740 Nm
Weight1 540 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed dual-clutch
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 296 GTB hits 100 km/h in 2.94 s versus 7.44 s for the 420i. The instant torque of 740 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 296 GTB leads by 4.50 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 296 GTB is doing 184 km/h against 117 km/h for the 420i. The gap is 3.10 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 296 GTB crosses the line in 10.30 s versus 15.38 s. The 5.08 s gap represents roughly 188 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 296 GTB continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 255 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 296 GTB finishes in 18.57 s versus 28.23 s, with a 9.66 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the 420i never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.15 seconds. The 4.50 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, 296 GTB wins (2,94 s vs 7,44 s).

296 GTB goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,94 seconds (calibrated simulation).

296 GTB: 620 hp, ratio 2,48 kg/hp. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

296 GTB: 338 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.