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ACooperBEVvsB116dDiesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsCooper · 116d

MINI Cooper SE FWD vs BMW 116d F40: 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.

city car · 2021 vs 2020 · Methodology
MINIBEVFaster

Cooper SE FWD

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,365 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMINI Cooper SE FWD

7.32 s

Gap3.06 sin favour of Cooper SE FWD
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCooper SE FWD116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h7.32 s10.38 s3.06 s · Cooper SE FWD
400 m standing start15.46 s17.62 s2.16 s · Cooper SE FWD
1,000 m standing start29.86 s31.82 s1.96 s · Cooper SE FWD
Top speed (electronically limited)150 km/h200 km/h50 km/h · 116d F40
Power-to-weight ratio7.42 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cooper SE FWD

Watch the race

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

MINIBEVCooper SE FWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel116d F40
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.
StageCooper SE FWD116d F40
0–30 km/h2.03 s2.52 s
0–50 km/h3.40 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h5.51 s7.32 s
0–100 km/h7.32 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h9.71 s14.43 s
0–160 km/h-27.75 s
0–200 km/h-75.90 s
400 m standing start15.46 s17.62 s
1,000 m standing start29.86 s31.82 s
Top speed150 km/h200 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.

MINI

Cooper SE FWD

7,42kg/hpratio better by 4,43 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 365 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hp3 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Cooper SE FWD hits 100 km/h in 7.32 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Cooper SE FWD leads by 3.06 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Cooper SE FWD is doing 124 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 1.36 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cooper SE FWD crosses the line in 15.46 s versus 17.61 s. The 2.15 s gap represents roughly 77 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Cooper SE FWD maxes out at 150 km/h while the 116d keeps accelerating towards 200 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 2.47 s from 2.15 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the Cooper SE FWD finishes in 29.86 s versus 31.81 s, with just 1.96 s to spare. The 116d fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Cooper SE FWD is capped at 150 km/h, the 116d at 200 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 16.96 seconds. The 3.06 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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Cooper SE FWD vs i3

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A3 Sedan vs 116d

BYDVSMINI

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A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Cooper SE FWD wins (7,32 s vs 10,38 s).

Cooper SE FWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,32 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Cooper SE FWD: 184 hp, ratio 7,42 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

Cooper SE FWD: 150 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.