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A520ePHEVvsB218dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs520e · 218d

BMW 520e G30 vs BMW 218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

520e G30

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDiesel

218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,615 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 520e G30

8.07 s

Gap1.42 sin favour of 520e
BBMW 218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44

9.49 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure520e G30218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44Gap
0–100 km/h8.07 s9.49 s1.42 s · 520e G30
400 m standing start15.87 s16.98 s1.11 s · 520e G30
1,000 m standing start29.49 s30.91 s1.42 s · 520e G30
Top speed (electronically limited)213 km/h205 km/h8 km/h · 520e G30
Power-to-weight ratio9.31 kg/hp10.77 kg/hpbetter ratio · 520e G30

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPHEV520e G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage520e G30218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44
0–30 km/h1.44 s2.20 s
0–50 km/h2.58 s3.59 s
0–80 km/h5.37 s6.60 s
0–100 km/h8.07 s9.49 s
0–120 km/h11.61 s13.28 s
0–160 km/h22.82 s25.56 s
0–200 km/h52.29 s64.21 s
400 m standing start15.87 s16.98 s
1,000 m standing start29.49 s30.91 s
Top speed213 km/h205 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

520e G30

9,31kg/hpratio better by 1,45 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44

10,77kg/hpcompensated by −285 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 615 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 520e hits 100 km/h in 8.07 s versus 9.49 s for the 218d xDrive Gran Tourer. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 520e leads by 1.42 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 520e is doing 113 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218d xDrive Gran Tourer. The gap is 0.96 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520e crosses the line in 15.86 s versus 16.98 s. The 1.11 s gap represents roughly 41 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 520e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 154 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 520e finishes in 29.49 s versus 30.91 s, with a 1.42 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (213 vs 205 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 520e is capped at 218 km/h, the 218d xDrive Gran Tourer at 205 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 15.64 seconds. The 1.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 520e G30 wins (8,07 s vs 9,49 s).

520e G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,07 seconds (calibrated simulation).

520e G30: 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp. 218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44: 150 hp, ratio 10,77 kg/hp.

520e G30: 213 km/h. 218d xDrive Gran Tourer F44: 205 km/h.