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AClio 4PetrolvsB420dDiesel
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  • SpecsClio 4 · 420d

Renault Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 vs BMW 420d G22: 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 2021 · Methodology
RenaultPetrolFaster

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

220 hp · 260 Nm · 1,240 kg · 2016

VS
BMWDiesel

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ARenault Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

6.65 s

Gap0.39 sin favour of Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
BBMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureClio 4 RS Trophy 220420d G22Gap
0–100 km/h6.65 s7.04 s0.39 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
400 m standing start14.76 s15.11 s0.35 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
1,000 m standing start26.71 s27.78 s1.07 s · Clio 4 RS Trophy 220
Top speed (electronically limited)231 km/h240 km/h9 km/h · 420d G22
Power-to-weight ratio5.64 kg/hp8.45 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
BMWDiesel420d G22
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 220420d G22
0–30 km/h1.73 s1.37 s
0–50 km/h2.89 s2.40 s
0–80 km/h4.74 s · tight gap4.80 s
0–100 km/h6.65 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h8.67 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h15.01 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h27.89 s33.30 s
400 m standing start14.76 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start26.71 s27.78 s
Top speed231 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.

Renault

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

5,64kg/hpratio better by 2,81 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power220 hpI4
Torque260 Nm
Weight1 240 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxEDC 6-speed (dual clutch)
BMW

420d G22

8,45kg/hpcompensated by −365 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 Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 hits 100 km/h in 6.65 s versus 7.04 s for the 420d. Despite the faster sprint time, the 420d is 5 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 is doing 127 km/h against 119 km/h for the 420d. The gap is 0.00 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 15.10 s. The 0.34 s gap represents roughly 14 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 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 finishes in 26.71 s versus 27.77 s, with a 1.07 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (231 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 Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 is capped at 233 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 (5.64 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 0.39 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

RenaultVSToyota

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 vs Yaris GRMN

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 420d

MINIVSRenault

John Cooper Works FWD vs Clio 4 RS Trophy 220

VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 420d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Clio 4 RS Trophy 220 wins (6,65 s vs 7,04 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. 420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

Clio 4 RS Trophy 220: 231 km/h. 420d G22: 240 km/h.