BMW i4 eDrive35 G26 vs BMW 120d F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i4 eDrive35 hits 100 km/h in 6.08 s versus 7.38 s for the 120d. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i4 eDrive35 leads by 1.30 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the i4 eDrive35 is doing 131 km/h against 121 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 0.67 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i4 eDrive35 crosses the line in 14.38 s versus 15.41 s. The 1.03 s gap represents roughly 42 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the i4 eDrive35 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 179 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i4 eDrive35 finishes in 26.26 s versus 27.90 s, with a 1.64 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (231 km/h), the 120d never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i4 eDrive35 is capped at 190 km/h, the 120d at 231 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 11.54 seconds. The 1.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.