Over 0–100 km/h, 540d xDrive Touring G30 wins (4,84 s vs 5,06 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.
| 540i G30 | 540d xDrive Touring G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,06 s | 4,84 s+0,22 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,21 s | 13,18 s+0,03 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,70 s−0,42 s | 24,12 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,69 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,77 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 | 540i G30 | 540d xDrive Touring G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,43 s | 1,17 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,38 s | 1,95 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,82 s | 3,46 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,06 s | 4,84 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,59 s | 6,60 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,74 s | 11,43 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,99 s | 18,97 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,21 s | 13,18 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,70 s | 24,12 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 595 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 320 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 680 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 845 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.06 s for the Bmw 540i. At this point, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring leads by 0.22 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring is doing 138 km/h against 143 km/h for the Bmw 540i. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring crosses the line in 13.17 s versus 13.21 s. The 0.04 s gap represents roughly 2 m of track
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h.
At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 540i finishes in 23.70 s versus 24.12 s. The 0.42 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
The Bmw 540d xDrive Touring features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 540i’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw 540i and the Bmw 540d xDrive Touring are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.69 kg/hp vs 5.77 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.64 seconds. The 0.22 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, 540d xDrive Touring G30 wins (4,84 s vs 5,06 s).
540i G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,06 seconds (calibrated simulation).
540i G30: 340 hp, ratio 4,69 kg/hp. 540d xDrive Touring G30: 320 hp, ratio 5,77 kg/hp.
540i G30: 250 km/h. 540d xDrive Touring G30: 250 km/h.