Over 0–100 km/h, 320i G20 wins (7,05 s vs 7,17 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 520d G30 | 320i G20 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.17 s | 7.05 s | 0.12 s · 320i G20 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.20 s | 15.12 s | 0.08 s · 320i G20 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.10 s | 27.81 s | 0.29 s · 320i G20 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 235 km/h | 234 km/h | 1 km/h · 520d G30 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8.82 kg/hp | 7.93 kg/hp | better ratio · 320i G20 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 520d G30 | 320i G20 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.25 s · tight gap | 1.38 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.35 s · tight gap | 2.44 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.82 s · tight gap | 4.84 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.17 s | 7.05 s · tight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.23 s | 9.85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18.99 s | 18.13 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 35.92 s | 33.99 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.20 s | 15.12 s · tight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.10 s | 27.81 s |
| Top speed | 235 km/h | 234 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 675 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 460 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 320i hits 100 km/h in 7.05 s versus 7.17 s for the 520d. Despite the faster sprint time, the 520d is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the 520d is doing 117 km/h against 119 km/h for the 320i. The gap is 0.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 320i crosses the line in 15.11 s versus 15.20 s. The 0.08 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the 320i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320i finishes in 27.81 s versus 28.10 s, with a 0.29 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (235 vs 234 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 520d and the 320i are governed to 235 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 (8.82 kg/hp vs 7.93 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.01 seconds. The 0.12 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, 320i G20 wins (7,05 s vs 7,17 s).
520d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).
520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,82 kg/hp. 320i G20: 184 hp, ratio 7,93 kg/hp.
520d G30: 235 km/h. 320i G20: 234 km/h.