Over 0–100 km/h, 540d xDrive G30 wins (4,79 s vs 5,62 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.
| 540d xDrive G30 | X3 xDrive30d G01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,79 s−0,83 s | 5,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,07 s−0,89 s | 13,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,77 s−1,89 s | 25,66 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+5 km/h | 245 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,42 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,75 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 | 540d xDrive G30 | X3 xDrive30d G01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,25 s | 1,33 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,02 s | 2,17 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,46 s | 3,95 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,79 s | 5,62 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,44 s | 7,75 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,94 s | 13,82 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,75 s | 24,31 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,07 s | 13,96 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,77 s | 25,66 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 245 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 320 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 680 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 735 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 286 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 930 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the 540d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.79 s versus 5.62 s for the X3 xDrive30d. At this point, the 540d xDrive leads by 0.84 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 540d xDrive is doing 141 km/h against 130 km/h for the X3 xDrive30d. The gap is 0.52 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 540d xDrive crosses the line in 13.07 s versus 13.96 s. The 0.89 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 540d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 180 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 540d xDrive finishes in 23.77 s versus 25.66 s, with a 1.89 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 540d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the X3 xDrive30d at 245 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 combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.42 kg/hp vs 6.75 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.01 seconds. The 0.84 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 540d xDrive G30 wins (4,79 s vs 5,62 s).
540d xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,79 seconds (calibrated simulation).
540d xDrive G30: 320 hp, ratio 5,42 kg/hp. X3 xDrive30d G01: 286 hp, ratio 6,75 kg/hp.
540d xDrive G30: 250 km/h. X3 xDrive30d G01: 245 km/h.