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Ai4BEVvsB520iPetrol
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  • Specsi4 · 520i

BMW i4 eDrive35 G26 vs BMW 520i G60: 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 2025 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2024

VS
BMWPetrol

520i G60

208 hp · 330 Nm · 1,725 kg · 2025

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i4 eDrive35 G26

6.08 s

Gap1.48 sin favour of i4 eDrive35
BBMW 520i G60

7.56 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 eDrive35 G26520i G60Gap
0–100 km/h6.08 s7.56 s1.48 s · i4 eDrive35 G26
400 m standing start14.38 s15.59 s1.21 s · i4 eDrive35 G26
1,000 m standing start26.26 s28.26 s2.00 s · i4 eDrive35 G26
Top speed (electronically limited)190 km/h230 km/h40 km/h · 520i G60
Power-to-weight ratio6.99 kg/hp8.29 kg/hpbetter ratio · i4 eDrive35 G26

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
BMWPetrol520i G60
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 G26520i G60
0–30 km/h1.69 s1.84 s
0–50 km/h2.81 s3.06 s
0–80 km/h4.56 s5.40 s
0–100 km/h6.08 s7.56 s
0–120 km/h8.04 s10.35 s
0–160 km/h14.28 s18.52 s
0–200 km/h-34.32 s
400 m standing start14.38 s15.59 s
1,000 m standing start26.26 s28.26 s
Top speed190 km/h230 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/hpratio better by 1,30 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 000 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio
BMW

520i G60

8,29kg/hpcompensated by −275 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power208 hp4 cyl
Torque330 Nm
Weight1 725 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i4 eDrive35 hits 100 km/h in 6.08 s versus 7.56 s for the 520i. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i4 eDrive35 leads by 1.48 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i4 eDrive35 is doing 131 km/h against 119 km/h for the 520i. The gap is 0.75 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i4 eDrive35 crosses the line in 14.38 s versus 15.58 s. The 1.21 s gap represents roughly 49 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i4 eDrive35 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 179 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i4 eDrive35 finishes in 26.26 s versus 28.25 s, with a 2.00 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (230 km/h), the 520i never recovers its launch deficit.

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 520i at 230 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 12.02 seconds. The 1.48 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, i4 eDrive35 G26 wins (6,08 s vs 7,56 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. 520i G60: 208 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.

i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h. 520i G60: 230 km/h.