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Ai4BEVvsB128tiPetrol
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  • Specsi4 · 128ti

BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26 vs BMW 128ti F40: 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 2020 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 hp · 795 Nm · 2,215 kg · 2024

VS
BMWPetrol

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

3.92 s

Gap2.35 sin favour of i4 M50 xDrive
BBMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 M50 xDrive G26128ti F40Gap
0–100 km/h3.92 s6.27 s2.35 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
400 m standing start12.01 s14.44 s2.43 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
1,000 m standing start21.97 s25.87 s3.90 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h250 km/h25 km/h · 128ti F40
Power-to-weight ratio4.07 kg/hp5.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · i4 M50 xDrive G26

Watch the race

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

BMWBEVi4 M50 xDrive G26
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol128ti F40
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 M50 xDrive G26128ti F40
0–30 km/h1.13 s1.81 s
0–50 km/h1.89 s3.01 s
0–80 km/h3.04 s4.76 s
0–100 km/h3.92 s6.27 s
0–120 km/h5.04 s8.20 s
0–160 km/h8.35 s13.63 s
0–200 km/h13.16 s22.97 s
400 m standing start12.01 s14.44 s
1,000 m standing start21.97 s25.87 s
Top speed limited225 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 M50 xDrive G26

4,07kg/hpratio better by 1,38 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power544 hpPending
Torque795 Nm
Weight2 215 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio
BMW

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpcompensated by −770 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i4 M50 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.92 s versus 6.27 s for the 128ti. The instant torque of 795 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i4 M50 xDrive leads by 2.35 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive is doing 155 km/h against 132 km/h for the 128ti. The gap is 1.75 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i4 M50 xDrive crosses the line in 12.01 s versus 14.44 s. The 2.43 s gap represents roughly 106 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 216 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive finishes in 21.97 s versus 25.86 s, with a 3.90 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), the 128ti 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 M50 xDrive is capped at 225 km/h, the 128ti 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 9.33 seconds. The 2.35 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 M50 xDrive G26 wins (3,92 s vs 6,27 s).

i4 M50 xDrive G26 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,92 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i4 M50 xDrive G26: 544 hp, ratio 4,07 kg/hp. 128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp.

i4 M50 xDrive G26: 225 km/h. 128ti F40: 250 km/h.