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A840dHybridvsB420dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs840d · 420d

BMW 840d xDrive G15 vs BMW 420d G22: 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 · 2020 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWHybridFaster

840d xDrive G15

340 hp · 700 Nm · 1,915 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDiesel

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 840d xDrive G15

4.73 s

Gap2.31 sin favour of 840d xDrive
BBMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure840d xDrive G15420d G22Gap
0–100 km/h4.73 s7.04 s2.31 s · 840d xDrive G15
400 m standing start13.00 s15.11 s2.11 s · 840d xDrive G15
1,000 m standing start23.59 s27.78 s4.19 s · 840d xDrive G15
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · 840d xDrive G15
Power-to-weight ratio5.63 kg/hp8.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 840d xDrive G15

Watch the race

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

BMWHybrid840d xDrive G15
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d G22
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.
Stage840d xDrive G15420d G22
0–30 km/h1.29 s · tight gap1.37 s
0–50 km/h2.06 s2.40 s
0–80 km/h3.45 s4.80 s
0–100 km/h4.73 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h6.33 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h10.67 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h17.19 s33.30 s
400 m standing start13.00 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start23.59 s27.78 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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

840d xDrive G15

5,63kg/hpratio better by 2,82 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque700 Nm
Weight1 915 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic
BMW

420d G22

8,45kg/hpcompensated by −310 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 840d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.73 s versus 7.04 s for the 420d. At this point, the 840d xDrive leads by 2.31 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 840d xDrive is doing 142 km/h against 119 km/h for the 420d. The gap is 1.23 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 840d xDrive crosses the line in 13.00 s versus 15.10 s. The 2.11 s gap represents roughly 83 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

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 198 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 840d xDrive finishes in 23.58 s versus 27.77 s, with a 4.19 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 840d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 420d at 240 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 (5.63 kg/hp vs 8.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.60 seconds. The 2.31 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 (4,73 s vs 7,04 s).

840d xDrive G15 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

840d xDrive G15: 340 hp, ratio 5,63 kg/hp. 420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

840d xDrive G15: 250 km/h. 420d G22: 240 km/h.