Over 0–100 km/h, 540i G30 wins (5,06 s vs 5,16 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 | 740d xDrive G11 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,06 s−0,10 s | 5,16 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,21 s−0,26 s | 13,47 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,70 s−0,83 s | 24,53 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,69 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,84 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 | 740d xDrive G11 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,43 s | 1,27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,38 s | 2,11 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,82 s | 3,70 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,06 s | 5,16 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,59 s | 7,01 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,74 s | 12,07 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,99 s | 19,82 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,21 s | 13,47 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,70 s | 24,53 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 | 1 870 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 540i hits 100 km/h in 5.06 s versus 5.16 s for the Bmw 740d xDrive. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 740d xDrive is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 540i is doing 143 km/h against 136 km/h for the Bmw 740d xDrive. The gap is 0.02 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 540i crosses the line in 13.21 s versus 13.47 s. The 0.26 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 540i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 200 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 540i finishes in 23.70 s versus 24.53 s, with a 0.83 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
The Bmw 740d xDrive 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 740d xDrive 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 5.84 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.10 seconds. The 0.10 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, 540i G30 wins (5,06 s vs 5,16 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. 740d xDrive G11: 320 hp, ratio 5,84 kg/hp.
540i G30: 250 km/h. 740d xDrive G11: 250 km/h.