MG MG4 Long Range RWD vs BMW 120i F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the MG4 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 6.73 s versus 6.91 s for the Bmw 120i. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 120i is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 120i is doing 124 km/h against 129 km/h for the MG4 Long Range RWD. The gap is 0.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the MG4 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.02 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The MG4 Long Range RWD maxes out at 180 km/h while the Bmw 120i keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.16 s.

Around 913 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 120i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 55 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 120i finishes in 27.09 s versus 27.23 s. The 0.14 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the MG4 Long Range RWD is capped at 180 km/h, the Bmw 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.

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 10.76 seconds. The 0.18 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.