Over 0–100 km/h, 540d xDrive Touring G30 wins (4,84 s vs 7,04 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| 540d xDrive Touring G30 | 420d F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,84 s−2,20 s | 7,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,18 s−1,93 s | 15,11 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,12 s−3,66 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+10 km/h | 240 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,77 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,45 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | 540d xDrive Touring G30 | 420d F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,17 s | 1,37 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,95 s | 2,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,46 s | 4,80 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,84 s | 7,04 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,60 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,43 s | 18,13 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,97 s | 33,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,18 s | 15,11 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,12 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 240 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 320 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 680 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 845 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 605 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 7.04 s for the Bmw 420d. At this point, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring leads by 2.20 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring is doing 138 km/h against 119 km/h for the Bmw 420d. The gap is 1.19 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring crosses the line in 13.17 s versus 15.10 s. The 1.93 s gap represents roughly 77 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 192 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring finishes in 24.12 s versus 27.77 s, with a 3.66 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 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 (5.77 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 2.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 540d xDrive Touring G30 wins (4,84 s vs 7,04 s).
540d xDrive Touring G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,84 seconds (calibrated simulation).
540d xDrive Touring G30: 320 hp, ratio 5,77 kg/hp. 420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.
540d xDrive Touring G30: 250 km/h. 420d F32: 240 km/h.