BMW 220d xDrive Gran Tourer F44 vs BMW 220d Active Tourer G42: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer hits 100 km/h in 7.66 s versus 8.42 s for the 220d Active Tourer. At this point, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer leads by 0.76 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer is doing 116 km/h against 115 km/h for the 220d Active Tourer. The gap is 0.67 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer crosses the line in 15.55 s versus 16.26 s. The 0.72 s gap represents roughly 28 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 159 km/h versus 159 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer finishes in 28.74 s versus 29.52 s, with a 0.77 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (216 vs 220 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The 220d xDrive Gran Tourer features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 220d Active Tourer’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 220d xDrive Gran Tourer and the 220d Active Tourer are governed to 218 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 (8.53 kg/hp vs 9.60 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.60 seconds. The 0.76 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.