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A540ivsBM240iPetrol
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  • Specs540i · M240i

BMW 540i G30 vs BMW M240i F44: 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 2020 · Methodology
BMWPetrol

540i G30

340 hp · 450 Nm · 1,595 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

M240i F44

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,525 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 540i G30

5.06 s

Gap0.39 sin favour of M240i
BBMW M240i F44

4.67 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure540i G30M240i F44Gap
0–100 km/h5.06 s4.67 s0.39 s · M240i F44
400 m standing start13.21 s12.78 s0.43 s · M240i F44
1,000 m standing start23.70 s23.04 s0.66 s · M240i F44
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio4.69 kg/hp4.49 kg/hpbetter ratio · M240i F44

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol540i G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrolM240i F44
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.
Stage540i G30M240i F44
0–30 km/h1.43 s1.33 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.38 s2.21 s
0–80 km/h3.82 s3.53 s
0–100 km/h5.06 s4.67 s
0–120 km/h6.59 s6.03 s
0–160 km/h10.74 s9.80 s
0–200 km/h16.99 s15.53 s
400 m standing start13.21 s12.78 s
1,000 m standing start23.70 s23.04 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 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

540i G30

4,69kg/hpcompensated by −70 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 595 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

M240i F44

4,49kg/hpratio better by 0,21 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hpPending
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 525 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M240i hits 100 km/h in 4.67 s versus 5.06 s for the 540i. At this point, the M240i leads by 0.39 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M240i is doing 147 km/h against 143 km/h for the 540i. The gap is 0.30 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the M240i crosses the line in 12.78 s versus 13.21 s. The 0.43 s gap represents roughly 21 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M240i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 200 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M240i finishes in 23.03 s versus 23.70 s, with a 0.67 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.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 540i and the M240i 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 4.49 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.48 seconds. The 0.39 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M240i F44 wins (4,67 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. M240i F44: 340 hp, ratio 4,49 kg/hp.

540i G30: 250 km/h. M240i F44: 250 km/h.