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AXC40vsB120iPetrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsXC40 · 120i

Volvo XC40 B4 vs BMW 120i F20LCI: 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.

compact SUV · 2022 vs 2018 · Methodology
VolvoPetrol

XC40 B4

197 hp · 300 Nm · 1,610 kg · 2022

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

120i F20LCI

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AVolvo XC40 B4

8.23 s

Gap1.11 sin favour of 120i
BBMW 120i F20LCI

7.12 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureXC40 B4120i F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h8.23 s7.12 s1.11 s · 120i F20LCI
400 m standing start16.11 s15.22 s0.89 s · 120i F20LCI
1,000 m standing start29.39 s27.53 s1.86 s · 120i F20LCI
Top speed (electronically limited)180 km/h225 km/h45 km/h · 120i F20LCI
Power-to-weight ratio8.17 kg/hp7.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · 120i F20LCI

Watch the race

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

VolvoPetrolXC40 B4
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol120i F20LCI
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.
StageXC40 B4120i F20LCI
0–30 km/h1.98 s1.79 s
0–50 km/h3.12 s2.99 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h5.74 s5.16 s
0–100 km/h8.23 s7.12 s
0–120 km/h11.35 s9.70 s
0–160 km/h21.46 s16.79 s
0–200 km/h-29.61 s
400 m standing start16.11 s15.22 s
1,000 m standing start29.39 s27.53 s
Top speed180 km/h225 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.

Volvo

XC40 B4

8,17kg/hpcompensated by −235 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power197 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 610 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox8-speed Geartronic
BMW

120i F20LCI

7,47kg/hpratio better by 0,70 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 120i hits 100 km/h in 7.12 s versus 8.23 s for the XC40 B4. At this point, the 120i leads by 1.11 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 120i is doing 122 km/h against 115 km/h for the XC40 B4. The gap is 0.53 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 120i crosses the line in 15.22 s versus 16.10 s. The 0.88 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 120i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 120i finishes in 27.52 s versus 29.39 s, with a 1.86 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the XC40 B4 is capped at 180 km/h, the 120i at 225 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 (8.17 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.40 seconds. The 1.11 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

JaguarVSVolvo

E-PACE P200 vs XC40 B4

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 120i

VolvoVSAudi

XC40 B4 vs Q3 Sportback

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 120i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 120i F20LCI wins (7,12 s vs 8,23 s).

XC40 B4 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,23 seconds (calibrated simulation).

XC40 B4: 197 hp, ratio 8,17 kg/hp. 120i F20LCI: 184 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.

XC40 B4: 180 km/h. 120i F20LCI: 225 km/h.