BMW i5 eDrive40 G60 vs BMW 128ti F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i5 eDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.12 s versus 6.27 s for the 128ti. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.15 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the i5 eDrive40 is doing 135 km/h against 132 km/h for the 128ti. The gap is 0.09 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the i5 eDrive40 crosses the line in 14.29 s versus 14.44 s. The 0.15 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The i5 eDrive40 maxes out at 193 km/h while the 128ti keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.18 s.

Around 997 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 128ti overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 57 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 128ti finishes in 25.86 s versus 25.87 s. The 0.00 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i5 eDrive40 is capped at 193 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 0.15 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.