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A740ePHEVvsB520dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs740e · 520d

BMW 740e iPerformance G11 vs BMW 520d Touring 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 2019 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

740e iPerformance G11

326 hp · 400 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDiesel

520d Touring G30

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,740 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 740e iPerformance G11

5.49 s

Gap1.98 sin favour of 740e iPerformance
BBMW 520d Touring G30

7.47 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure740e iPerformance G11520d Touring G30Gap
0–100 km/h5.49 s7.47 s1.98 s · 740e iPerformance G11
400 m standing start13.69 s15.43 s1.74 s · 740e iPerformance G11
1,000 m standing start24.90 s28.60 s3.70 s · 740e iPerformance G11
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h225 km/h25 km/h · 740e iPerformance G11
Power-to-weight ratio5.83 kg/hp9.16 kg/hpbetter ratio · 740e iPerformance G11

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV740e iPerformance G11
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel520d Touring 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.
Stage740e iPerformance G11520d Touring G30
0–30 km/h1.27 s1.25 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.12 s2.36 s
0–80 km/h3.79 s5.03 s
0–100 km/h5.49 s7.47 s
0–120 km/h7.38 s10.66 s
0–160 km/h12.61 s20.31 s
0–200 km/h20.69 s40.23 s
400 m standing start13.69 s15.43 s
1,000 m standing start24.90 s28.60 s
Top speed limited250 km/h225 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

740e iPerformance G11

5,83kg/hpratio better by 3,33 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power326 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

520d Touring G30

9,16kg/hpcompensated by −160 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 740 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 740e iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.49 s versus 7.47 s for the 520d Touring. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 740e iPerformance leads by 1.98 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 740e iPerformance is doing 133 km/h against 115 km/h for the 520d Touring. The gap is 0.96 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740e iPerformance crosses the line in 13.68 s versus 15.42 s. The 1.74 s gap represents roughly 67 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 740e iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 187 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740e iPerformance finishes in 24.90 s versus 28.59 s, with a 3.70 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 740e iPerformance is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 520d Touring at 225 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.58 seconds. The 1.98 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, 740e iPerformance G11 wins (5,49 s vs 7,47 s).

740e iPerformance G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,49 seconds (calibrated simulation).

740e iPerformance G11: 326 hp, ratio 5,83 kg/hp. 520d Touring G30: 190 hp, ratio 9,16 kg/hp.

740e iPerformance G11: 250 km/h. 520d Touring G30: 225 km/h.