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A740LePHEVvsB840dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs740Le · 840d

BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance G11 vs BMW 840d xDrive G15: 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
BMWPHEV

740Le xDrive iPerformance G11

326 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2018

VS
BMWDieselFaster

840d xDrive G15

320 hp · 680 Nm · 1,830 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance G11

5.32 s

Gap0.36 sin favour of 840d xDrive
BBMW 840d xDrive G15

4.96 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure740Le xDrive iPerformance G11840d xDrive G15Gap
0–100 km/h5.32 s4.96 s0.36 s · 840d xDrive G15
400 m standing start13.54 s13.27 s0.27 s · 840d xDrive G15
1,000 m standing start24.73 s24.14 s0.59 s · 840d xDrive G15
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio6.13 kg/hp5.72 kg/hpbetter ratio · 840d xDrive G15

Watch the race

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

BMWPHEV740Le xDrive iPerformance G11
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel840d xDrive G15
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 xDrive iPerformance G11840d xDrive G15
0–30 km/h1.17 s · tight gap1.31 s
0–50 km/h1.96 s · tight gap2.10 s
0–80 km/h3.63 s3.58 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h5.32 s4.96 s
0–120 km/h7.19 s6.70 s
0–160 km/h12.49 s11.43 s
0–200 km/h20.49 s18.72 s
400 m standing start13.54 s13.27 s
1,000 m standing start24.73 s24.14 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 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 xDrive iPerformance G11

6,13kg/hpcompensated by −170 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power326 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 000 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

840d xDrive G15

5,72kg/hpratio better by 0,42 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power320 hpPending
Torque680 Nm
Weight1 830 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 840d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.96 s versus 5.32 s for the 740Le xDrive iPerformance. Despite lacking instant torque, 320 hp of power compensates. The 0.36 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 840d xDrive is doing 139 km/h against 134 km/h for the 740Le xDrive iPerformance. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 840d xDrive crosses the line in 13.26 s versus 13.54 s. The 0.28 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 840d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 193 km/h versus 188 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 840d xDrive finishes in 24.13 s versus 24.72 s, with a 0.59 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 740Le xDrive iPerformance and the 840d xDrive are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

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 8.34 seconds. The 0.36 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, 840d xDrive G15 wins (4,96 s vs 5,32 s).

740Le xDrive iPerformance G11 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,32 seconds (calibrated simulation).

740Le xDrive iPerformance G11: 326 hp, ratio 6,13 kg/hp. 840d xDrive G15: 320 hp, ratio 5,72 kg/hp.

740Le xDrive iPerformance G11: 250 km/h. 840d xDrive G15: 250 km/h.