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Ai4BEVvsB218dDiesel
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  • Specsi4 · 218d

BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26 vs BMW 218d F22: 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 2018 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i4 M50 xDrive G26

544 hp · 795 Nm · 2,215 kg · 2024

VS
BMWDiesel

218d F22

150 hp · 350 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i4 M50 xDrive G26

3.92 s

Gap4.93 sin favour of i4 M50 xDrive
BBMW 218d F22

8.85 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 M50 xDrive G26218d F22Gap
0–100 km/h3.92 s8.85 s4.93 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
400 m standing start12.01 s16.56 s4.55 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
1,000 m standing start21.97 s30.13 s8.16 s · i4 M50 xDrive G26
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h210 km/h15 km/h · i4 M50 xDrive G26
Power-to-weight ratio4.07 kg/hp9.63 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
BMWDiesel218d F22
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 G26218d F22
0–30 km/h1.13 s2.11 s
0–50 km/h1.89 s3.45 s
0–80 km/h3.04 s6.26 s
0–100 km/h3.92 s8.85 s
0–120 km/h5.04 s12.29 s
0–160 km/h8.35 s23.20 s
0–200 km/h13.16 s53.82 s
400 m standing start12.01 s16.56 s
1,000 m standing start21.97 s30.13 s
Top speed225 km/h210 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 5,56 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power544 hpPending
Torque795 Nm
Weight2 215 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio
BMW

218d F22

9,63kg/hpcompensated by −770 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual (8-speed Steptronic)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i4 M50 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.92 s versus 8.85 s for the 218d. The instant torque of 795 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i4 M50 xDrive leads by 4.93 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive is doing 155 km/h against 112 km/h for the 218d. The gap is 2.99 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 16.56 s. The 4.55 s gap represents roughly 163 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 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive finishes in 21.97 s versus 30.12 s, with a 8.16 s lead.

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 218d at 210 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 14.40 seconds. The 4.93 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 8,85 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. 218d F22: 150 hp, ratio 9,63 kg/hp.

i4 M50 xDrive G26: 225 km/h. 218d F22: 210 km/h.