BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance G11 vs BMW 218d xDrive F44: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.32 s versus 9.04 s for the 218d xDrive. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance leads by 3.72 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance is doing 134 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218d xDrive. The gap is 1.89 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance crosses the line in 13.54 s versus 16.54 s. The 3.00 s gap represents roughly 107 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance finishes in 24.72 s versus 30.52 s, with a 5.79 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 740Le xDrive iPerformance is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 218d xDrive at 211 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 15.31 seconds. The 3.72 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.