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A525dDieselvsB320ePHEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs525d · 320e

BMW 525d G30 vs BMW 320e G20: 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 · 2018 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

525d G30

231 hp · 500 Nm · 1,690 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPHEV

320e G20

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,765 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 525d G30

6.74 s

Gap0.72 sin favour of 525d
BBMW 320e G20

7.46 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure525d G30320e G20Gap
0–100 km/h6.74 s7.46 s0.72 s · 525d G30
400 m standing start14.92 s15.44 s0.52 s · 525d G30
1,000 m standing start27.19 s28.77 s1.58 s · 525d G30
Top speed (electronically limited)243 km/h215 km/h28 km/h · 525d G30
Power-to-weight ratio7.32 kg/hp8.65 kg/hpbetter ratio · 525d G30

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel525d G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPHEV320e G20
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.
Stage525d G30320e G20
0–30 km/h1.64 s1.31 s
0–50 km/h2.66 s2.37 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s4.96 s
0–100 km/h6.74 s7.46 s
0–120 km/h9.26 s10.74 s
0–160 km/h16.53 s20.97 s
0–200 km/h29.57 s46.63 s
400 m standing start14.92 s15.44 s
1,000 m standing start27.19 s28.77 s
Top speed243 km/h215 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

525d G30

7,32kg/hpratio better by 1,34 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power231 hp4 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 690 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

320e G20

8,65kg/hpcompensated by −75 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 765 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 525d hits 100 km/h in 6.74 s versus 7.46 s for the 320e. Despite lacking instant torque, 231 hp of power compensates. Despite the faster sprint time, the 320e is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 525d is doing 123 km/h against 115 km/h for the 320e. The gap is 0.13 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 525d crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.43 s. The 0.52 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 525d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 525d finishes in 27.19 s versus 28.77 s, with a 1.58 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 525d is capped at 245 km/h, the 320e at 220 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 12.74 seconds. The 0.72 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, 525d G30 wins (6,74 s vs 7,46 s).

525d G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,74 seconds (calibrated simulation).

525d G30: 231 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp. 320e G20: 204 hp, ratio 8,65 kg/hp.

525d G30: 243 km/h. 320e G20: 215 km/h.