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AClio 4vsB120iPetrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsClio 4 · 120i

Renault Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 vs BMW 120i 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 · 2016 vs 2020 · Methodology
RenaultPetrolFaster

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

220 hp · 260 Nm · 1,240 kg · 2016

VS
BMWPetrol

120i F40

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ARenault Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

6.65 s

Gap0.30 sin favour of Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
BBMW 120i F40

6.95 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureClio 4 RS Trophy 220120i F40Gap
0–100 km/h6.65 s6.95 s0.30 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
400 m standing start14.76 s15.05 s0.29 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
1,000 m standing start26.71 s27.31 s0.60 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
Top speed (electronically limited)231 km/h235 km/h4 km/h · 120i F40
Power-to-weight ratio5.64 kg/hp7.81 kg/hpbetter ratio · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

Watch the race

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

RenaultPetrolClio 4 RS Trophy 220
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol120i 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.
StageClio 4 RS Trophy 220120i F40
0–30 km/h1.73 s1.65 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.89 s2.78 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.74 s4.91 s
0–100 km/h6.65 s6.95 s
0–120 km/h8.67 s9.38 s
0–160 km/h15.01 s16.65 s
0–200 km/h27.89 s29.52 s
400 m standing start14.76 s15.05 s
1,000 m standing start26.71 s27.31 s
Top speed231 km/h235 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.

Renault

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

5,64kg/hpratio better by 2,17 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power220 hpI4
Torque260 Nm
Weight1 240 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxEDC 6-speed (dual clutch)
BMW

120i F40

7,81kg/hpcompensated by −150 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSeven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 hits 100 km/h in 6.65 s versus 6.95 s for the 120i. The 0.30 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 is doing 127 km/h against 123 km/h for the 120i. The gap is 0.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 crosses the line in 14.76 s versus 15.05 s. The 0.29 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 finishes in 26.71 s versus 27.31 s, with a 0.60 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (231 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 and the 120i are governed to 233 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.64 kg/hp vs 7.81 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.01 seconds. The 0.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kW
Instead of 120i F40
Peugeot 208 GTi 30th 208

Other duels you might be interested in

RenaultVSToyota

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 vs Yaris GRMN

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 120i

MINIVSRenault

John Cooper Works FWD vs Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 wins (6,65 s vs 6,95 s).

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220: 220 hp, ratio 5,64 kg/hp. 120i F40: 178 hp, ratio 7,81 kg/hp.

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220: 231 km/h. 120i F40: 235 km/h.