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Ai4BEVvsB330dDiesel
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  • Specsi4 · 330d

BMW i4 eDrive35 G26 vs BMW 330d xDrive G20: 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.

saloon · 2024 vs 2019 · Methodology
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2024

VS
BMWDieselFaster

330d xDrive G20

265 hp · 580 Nm · 1,660 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i4 eDrive35 G26

6.08 s

Gap0.91 sin favour of 330d xDrive
BBMW 330d xDrive G20

5.17 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 eDrive35 G26330d xDrive G20Gap
0–100 km/h6.08 s5.17 s0.91 s · 330d xDrive G20
400 m standing start14.38 s13.48 s0.90 s · 330d xDrive G20
1,000 m standing start26.26 s24.67 s1.59 s · 330d xDrive G20
Top speed (electronically limited)190 km/h250 km/h60 km/h · 330d xDrive G20
Power-to-weight ratio6.99 kg/hp6.26 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330d xDrive G20

Watch the race

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

BMWBEVi4 eDrive35 G26
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel330d xDrive G20
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.
Stagei4 eDrive35 G26330d xDrive G20
0–30 km/h1.69 s1.18 s
0–50 km/h2.81 s1.96 s
0–80 km/h4.56 s3.65 s
0–100 km/h6.08 s5.17 s
0–120 km/h8.04 s7.08 s
0–160 km/h14.28 s12.35 s
0–200 km/h-20.48 s
400 m standing start14.38 s13.48 s
1,000 m standing start26.26 s24.67 s
Top speed limited190 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

i4 eDrive35 G26

6,99kg/hpcompensated by −340 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 000 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio
BMW

330d xDrive G20

6,26kg/hpratio better by 0,73 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hpPending
Torque580 Nm
Weight1 660 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.17 s versus 6.08 s for the i4 eDrive35. Despite lacking instant torque, 265 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 330d xDrive leads by 0.91 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330d xDrive is doing 135 km/h against 131 km/h for the i4 eDrive35. The gap is 0.75 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330d xDrive crosses the line in 13.48 s versus 14.38 s. The 0.90 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 179 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330d xDrive finishes in 24.66 s versus 26.26 s, with a 1.59 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i4 eDrive35 is capped at 190 km/h, the 330d xDrive at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 9.27 seconds. The 0.91 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, 330d xDrive G20 wins (5,17 s vs 6,08 s).

i4 eDrive35 G26 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,08 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i4 eDrive35 G26: 286 hp, ratio 6,99 kg/hp. 330d xDrive G20: 265 hp, ratio 6,26 kg/hp.

i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h. 330d xDrive G20: 250 km/h.