BMW 740Le iPerformance G11 vs BMW 123 xDrive F70: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 740Le iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.58 s versus 6.36 s for the 123 xDrive. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 740Le iPerformance leads by 0.78 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 740Le iPerformance is doing 132 km/h against 125 km/h for the 123 xDrive. The gap is 0.48 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740Le iPerformance crosses the line in 13.77 s versus 14.55 s. The 0.78 s gap represents roughly 33 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 740Le iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740Le iPerformance finishes in 25.05 s versus 26.62 s, with a 1.57 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 246 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 740Le iPerformance is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 123 xDrive at 246 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 10.11 seconds. The 0.78 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.