BMW 225xe iPerformance F44 vs BMW 216i Gran Tourer F22: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 225xe iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 6.80 s versus 11.54 s for the 216i Gran Tourer. The instant torque of 385 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 225xe iPerformance leads by 4.74 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 225xe iPerformance is doing 126 km/h against 101 km/h for the 216i Gran Tourer. The gap is 1.85 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 225xe iPerformance crosses the line in 14.96 s versus 18.11 s. The 3.15 s gap represents roughly 104 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 225xe iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 139 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 225xe iPerformance finishes in 26.93 s versus 33.26 s, with a 6.33 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (202 vs 188 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 225xe iPerformance is capped at 202 km/h, the 216i Gran Tourer at 188 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 20.02 seconds. The 4.74 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.