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A740iHybridvsB525dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs740i · 525d

BMW 740i G11 vs BMW 525d 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 · 2022 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

740i G11

381 hp · 540 Nm · 2,090 kg · 2022

VS
BMWDiesel

525d G30

231 hp · 500 Nm · 1,690 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 740i G11

5.30 s

Gap1.44 sin favour of 740i
BBMW 525d G30

6.74 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure740i G11525d G30Gap
0–100 km/h5.30 s6.74 s1.44 s · 740i G11
400 m standing start13.53 s14.92 s1.39 s · 740i G11
1,000 m standing start24.47 s27.19 s2.72 s · 740i G11
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h243 km/h7 km/h · 740i G11
Power-to-weight ratio5.49 kg/hp7.32 kg/hpbetter ratio · 740i G11

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid740i G11
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel525d 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.
Stage740i G11525d G30
0–30 km/h1.33 s1.64 s
0–50 km/h2.23 s2.66 s
0–80 km/h3.81 s4.76 s
0–100 km/h5.30 s6.74 s
0–120 km/h7.08 s9.26 s
0–160 km/h11.95 s16.53 s
0–200 km/h19.31 s29.57 s
400 m standing start13.53 s14.92 s
1,000 m standing start24.47 s27.19 s
Top speed limited250 km/h243 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

740i G11

5,49kg/hpratio better by 1,83 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power381 hp6 cyl
Torque540 Nm
Weight2 090 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
BMW

525d G30

7,32kg/hpcompensated by −400 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power231 hp4 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 690 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 740i hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 6.74 s for the 525d. At this point, the 740i leads by 1.44 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 740i is doing 137 km/h against 123 km/h for the 525d. The gap is 0.87 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740i crosses the line in 13.53 s versus 14.92 s. The 1.39 s gap represents roughly 58 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 740i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 192 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740i finishes in 24.47 s versus 27.19 s, with a 2.72 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 243 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 740i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 525d at 245 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 (5.49 kg/hp vs 7.32 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.75 seconds. The 1.44 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, 740i G11 wins (5,30 s vs 6,74 s).

740i G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,30 seconds (calibrated simulation).

740i G11: 381 hp, ratio 5,49 kg/hp. 525d G30: 231 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp.

740i G11: 250 km/h. 525d G30: 243 km/h.