Over 0–100 km/h, i4 eDrive35 G26 wins (6,08 s vs 8,07 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.
| i4 eDrive35 G26 | 520e G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 6,08 s−1,99 s | 8,07 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,38 s−1,49 s | 15,87 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,26 s−3,23 s | 29,49 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 190 km/h | 213 km/h−23 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,99 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,31 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 | i4 eDrive35 G26 | 520e G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,69 s | 1,44 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,81 s | 2,58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,56 s | 5,37 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 6,08 s | 8,07 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,04 s | 11,61 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14,28 s | 22,82 s |
| 0–200 km/h | - | 52,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,38 s | 15,87 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,26 s | 29,49 s |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 213 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 286 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 000 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Automatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 204 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 hits 100 km/h in 6.08 s versus 8.07 s for the Bmw 520e. At this point, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 leads by 1.99 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 is doing 131 km/h against 113 km/h for the Bmw 520e. The gap is 0.68 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 crosses the line in 14.38 s versus 15.86 s. The 1.49 s gap represents roughly 56 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 179 km/h versus 154 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw i4 eDrive35 finishes in 26.26 s versus 29.49 s, with a 3.23 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (213 km/h), the Bmw 520e never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw i4 eDrive35 is capped at 190 km/h, the Bmw 520e at 218 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 plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.99 kg/hp vs 9.31 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.80 seconds. The 1.99 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, i4 eDrive35 G26 wins (6,08 s vs 8,07 s).
i4 eDrive35 G26 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,08 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i4 eDrive35 G26: 286 hp, ratio 6,99 kg/hp. 520e G30: 204 hp, ratio 9,31 kg/hp.
i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h. 520e G30: 213 km/h.