BMW i4 M50 xDrive G26 vs BMW 218i Active Tourer F44: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i4 M50 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.92 s versus 9.36 s for the 218i Active Tourer. The instant torque of 795 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i4 M50 xDrive leads by 5.44 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive is doing 155 km/h against 110 km/h for the 218i Active Tourer. The gap is 3.22 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 16.89 s. The 4.89 s gap represents roughly 171 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 216 km/h versus 152 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i4 M50 xDrive finishes in 21.97 s versus 30.73 s, with a 8.76 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i4 M50 xDrive is capped at 225 km/h, the 218i Active Tourer at 205 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 15.28 seconds. The 5.44 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.