BYD Dolphin Boost 150kW vs BMW 520d G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Dolphin Boost 150kW hits 100 km/h in 6.93 s versus 7.21 s for the Bmw 520d. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 520d is 12 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 520d is doing 118 km/h against 126 km/h for the Dolphin Boost 150kW. The gap is 0.22 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Dolphin Boost 150kW crosses the line in 15.13 s versus 15.24 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Dolphin Boost 150kW maxes out at 160 km/h while the Bmw 520d keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.23 s.

Around 783 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 520d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 75 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 520d finishes in 28.10 s versus 28.66 s. The 0.56 s delta in favour of the Bmw 520d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Dolphin Boost 150kW is capped at 160 km/h, the Bmw 520d at 235 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 11.95 seconds. The 0.28 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.