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A540iPetrolvsB740dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs540i · 740d

BMW 540i xDrive G30 vs BMW 740d xDrive G11: 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 · 2020 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

540i xDrive G30

333 hp · 450 Nm · 1,745 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

740d xDrive G11

320 hp · 680 Nm · 1,870 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 540i xDrive G30

4.96 s

Gap0.20 sin favour of 540i xDrive
BBMW 740d xDrive G11

5.16 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure540i xDrive G30740d xDrive G11Gap
0–100 km/h4.96 s5.16 s0.20 s · 540i xDrive G30
400 m standing start13.16 s13.47 s0.31 s · 540i xDrive G30
1,000 m standing start23.73 s24.53 s0.80 s · 540i xDrive G30
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio5.24 kg/hp5.84 kg/hpbetter ratio · 540i xDrive G30

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrol540i xDrive G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel740d xDrive G11
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 xDrive G30740d xDrive G11
0–30 km/h1.32 s1.27 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.20 s2.11 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h3.67 s · tight gap3.70 s
0–100 km/h4.96 s5.16 s
0–120 km/h6.55 s7.01 s
0–160 km/h10.86 s12.07 s
0–200 km/h17.30 s19.82 s
400 m standing start13.16 s13.47 s
1,000 m standing start23.73 s24.53 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 xDrive G30

5,24kg/hpratio better by 0,60 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power333 hpPending
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 745 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

740d xDrive G11

5,84kg/hpcompensated by −125 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power320 hp6 cyl
Torque680 Nm
Weight1 870 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 540i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.96 s versus 5.16 s for the 740d xDrive. The 0.20 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 540i xDrive is doing 141 km/h against 136 km/h for the 740d xDrive. The gap is 0.12 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 540i xDrive crosses the line in 13.16 s versus 13.47 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 540i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 540i xDrive finishes in 23.73 s versus 24.53 s, with a 0.80 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 xDrive and the 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 (5.24 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 0.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 540i xDrive G30 wins (4,96 s vs 5,16 s).

540i xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,96 seconds (calibrated simulation).

540i xDrive G30: 333 hp, ratio 5,24 kg/hp. 740d xDrive G11: 320 hp, ratio 5,84 kg/hp.

540i xDrive G30: 250 km/h. 740d xDrive G11: 250 km/h.