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A740dDieselvsB520iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs740d · 520i

BMW 740d xDrive G11 vs BMW 520i G30: 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.

limousine · 2018 vs 2020 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

740d xDrive G11

320 hp · 680 Nm · 1,870 kg · 2018

VS
BMWPetrol

520i G30

184 hp · 290 Nm · 1,610 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 740d xDrive G11

5.16 s

Gap2.68 sin favour of 740d xDrive
BBMW 520i G30

7.84 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure740d xDrive G11520i G30Gap
0–100 km/h5.16 s7.84 s2.68 s · 740d xDrive G11
400 m standing start13.47 s15.69 s2.22 s · 740d xDrive G11
1,000 m standing start24.53 s28.87 s4.34 s · 740d xDrive G11
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h231 km/h19 km/h · 740d xDrive G11
Power-to-weight ratio5.84 kg/hp8.75 kg/hpbetter ratio · 740d xDrive G11

Watch the race

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

BMWDiesel740d xDrive G11
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol520i G30
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.
Stage740d xDrive G11520i G30
0–30 km/h1.27 s · tight gap1.40 s
0–50 km/h2.11 s2.62 s
0–80 km/h3.70 s5.33 s
0–100 km/h5.16 s7.84 s
0–120 km/h7.01 s11.09 s
0–160 km/h12.07 s20.66 s
0–200 km/h19.82 s39.54 s
400 m standing start13.47 s15.69 s
1,000 m standing start24.53 s28.87 s
Top speed limited250 km/h231 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

740d xDrive G11

5,84kg/hpratio better by 2,91 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power320 hp6 cyl
Torque680 Nm
Weight1 870 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

520i G30

8,75kg/hpcompensated by −260 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque290 Nm
Weight1 610 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 740d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.16 s versus 7.84 s for the 520i. At this point, the 740d xDrive leads by 2.68 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 740d xDrive is doing 136 km/h against 114 km/h for the 520i. The gap is 1.33 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740d xDrive crosses the line in 13.47 s versus 15.68 s. The 2.21 s gap represents roughly 84 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 740d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 159 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740d xDrive finishes in 24.53 s versus 28.87 s, with a 4.34 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The 740d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 520i’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 are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 740d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 520i at 235 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 (5.84 kg/hp vs 8.75 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.04 seconds. The 2.68 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 740d xDrive G11 wins (5,16 s vs 7,84 s).

740d xDrive G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,16 seconds (calibrated simulation).

740d xDrive G11: 320 hp, ratio 5,84 kg/hp. 520i G30: 184 hp, ratio 8,75 kg/hp.

740d xDrive G11: 250 km/h. 520i G30: 231 km/h.