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AMustangPetrolvsB420dDiesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsMustang · 420d

Ford Mustang GT S550 450 vs BMW 420d 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
FordPetrolFaster

Mustang GT S550 450

455 hp · 529 Nm · 1,738 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDiesel

420d F32

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Mustang GT S550 450

4.53 s

Gap2.51 sin favour of Mustang GT S550 450
BBMW 420d F32

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureMustang GT S550 450420d F32Gap
0–100 km/h4.53 s7.04 s2.51 s · Mustang GT S550 450
400 m standing start12.46 s15.11 s2.65 s · Mustang GT S550 450
1,000 m standing start22.31 s27.78 s5.47 s · Mustang GT S550 450
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · Mustang GT S550 450
Power-to-weight ratio3.82 kg/hp8.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · Mustang GT S550 450

Watch the race

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

FordPetrolMustang GT S550 450
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d 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.
StageMustang GT S550 450420d F32
0–30 km/h1.35 s · tight gap1.37 s
0–50 km/h2.25 s · tight gap2.40 s
0–80 km/h3.54 s4.80 s
0–100 km/h4.53 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h5.70 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h8.93 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h13.86 s33.30 s
400 m standing start12.46 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start22.31 s27.78 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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.

Ford

Mustang GT S550 450

3,82kg/hpratio better by 4,63 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power455 hpPending
Torque529 Nm
Weight1 738 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox10-speed torque-converter automatic
BMW

420d F32

8,45kg/hpcompensated by −133 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Mustang GT S550 450 hits 100 km/h in 4.53 s versus 7.04 s for the 420d. At this point, the Mustang GT S550 450 leads by 2.51 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Mustang GT S550 450 is doing 154 km/h against 119 km/h for the 420d. The gap is 1.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Mustang GT S550 450 crosses the line in 12.46 s versus 15.10 s. The 2.65 s gap represents roughly 104 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Mustang GT S550 450 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 213 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Mustang GT S550 450 finishes in 22.31 s versus 27.77 s, with a 5.46 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Mustang GT S550 450 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 420d 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 (3.82 kg/hp vs 8.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.60 seconds. The 2.51 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Mustang GT S550 450 vs M4 Competition Convertible

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A4 40 TDI vs 420d

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Mustang GT S550 450 vs M4 Competition Coupe

VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 420d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Mustang GT S550 450 wins (4,53 s vs 7,04 s).

Mustang GT S550 450 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Mustang GT S550 450: 455 hp, ratio 3,82 kg/hp. 420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

Mustang GT S550 450: 250 km/h. 420d F32: 240 km/h.