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A740LePHEVvsB525dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs740Le · 525d

BMW 740Le iPerformance 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 · 2018 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPHEVFaster

740Le iPerformance G11

326 hp · 400 Nm · 1,940 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDiesel

525d G30

231 hp · 500 Nm · 1,690 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 740Le iPerformance G11

5.58 s

Gap1.16 sin favour of 740Le iPerformance
BBMW 525d G30

6.74 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure740Le iPerformance G11525d G30Gap
0–100 km/h5.58 s6.74 s1.16 s · 740Le iPerformance G11
400 m standing start13.77 s14.92 s1.15 s · 740Le iPerformance G11
1,000 m standing start25.05 s27.19 s2.14 s · 740Le iPerformance G11
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h243 km/h7 km/h · 740Le iPerformance G11
Power-to-weight ratio5.95 kg/hp7.32 kg/hpbetter ratio · 740Le iPerformance G11

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV740Le iPerformance 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.
Stage740Le iPerformance G11525d G30
0–30 km/h1.29 s1.64 s
0–50 km/h2.14 s2.66 s
0–80 km/h3.85 s4.76 s
0–100 km/h5.58 s6.74 s
0–120 km/h7.52 s9.26 s
0–160 km/h12.85 s16.53 s
0–200 km/h21.11 s29.57 s
400 m standing start13.77 s14.92 s
1,000 m standing start25.05 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

740Le iPerformance G11

5,95kg/hpratio better by 1,37 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power326 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 940 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

525d G30

7,32kg/hpcompensated by −250 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 740Le iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.58 s versus 6.74 s for the 525d. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 740Le iPerformance leads by 1.16 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 740Le iPerformance is doing 132 km/h against 123 km/h for the 525d. The gap is 0.77 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740Le iPerformance crosses the line in 13.77 s versus 14.92 s. The 1.15 s gap represents roughly 48 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 740Le iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740Le iPerformance finishes in 25.05 s versus 27.19 s, with a 2.14 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 740Le iPerformance 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.

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 10.75 seconds. The 1.16 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, 740Le iPerformance G11 wins (5,58 s vs 6,74 s).

740Le iPerformance G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,58 seconds (calibrated simulation).

740Le iPerformance G11: 326 hp, ratio 5,95 kg/hp. 525d G30: 231 hp, ratio 7,32 kg/hp.

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