BMW 525d G30 vs BMW 225xe iPerformance F44: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 525d hits 100 km/h in 6.74 s versus 6.80 s for the 225xe iPerformance. Despite lacking instant torque, 231 hp of power compensates. The 0.06 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the 525d is doing 123 km/h against 126 km/h for the 225xe iPerformance. The gap is 0.17 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 525d crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 14.96 s. The 0.04 s gap represents roughly 2 m of track

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 225xe iPerformance maxes out at 202 km/h while the 525d keeps accelerating towards 243 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.08 s.

Around 464 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 225xe iPerformance overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 41 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 225xe iPerformance finishes in 26.93 s versus 27.19 s. The 0.26 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 525d is capped at 245 km/h, the 225xe iPerformance at 202 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 10.75 seconds. The 0.06 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.