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Ai5BEVvsB520dDiesel
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  • Specsi5 · 520d

BMW i5 eDrive40 G60 vs BMW 520d xDrive G30: 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.

grand tourer · 2025 vs 2019 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i5 eDrive40 G60

313 hp · 400 Nm · 2,130 kg · 2025

VS
BMWDiesel

520d xDrive G30

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,705 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i5 eDrive40 G60

6.12 s

Gap1.19 sin favour of i5 eDrive40
BBMW 520d xDrive G30

7.31 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei5 eDrive40 G60520d xDrive G30Gap
0–100 km/h6.12 s7.31 s1.19 s · i5 eDrive40 G60
400 m standing start14.30 s15.32 s1.02 s · i5 eDrive40 G60
1,000 m standing start25.87 s28.30 s2.43 s · i5 eDrive40 G60
Top speed (electronically limited)193 km/h232 km/h39 km/h · 520d xDrive G30
Power-to-weight ratio6.81 kg/hp8.97 kg/hpbetter ratio · i5 eDrive40 G60

Watch the race

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

BMWBEVi5 eDrive40 G60
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel520d xDrive G30
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.
Stagei5 eDrive40 G60520d xDrive G30
0–30 km/h1.79 s1.31 s
0–50 km/h2.98 s2.42 s
0–80 km/h4.78 s · tight gap4.92 s
0–100 km/h6.12 s7.31 s
0–120 km/h7.84 s10.44 s
0–160 km/h13.27 s19.43 s
0–200 km/h-37.21 s
400 m standing start14.30 s15.32 s
1,000 m standing start25.87 s28.30 s
Top speed193 km/h232 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

i5 eDrive40 G60

6,81kg/hpratio better by 2,17 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power313 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 130 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-stage with fixed ratio
BMW

520d xDrive G30

8,97kg/hpcompensated by −425 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 705 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i5 eDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.12 s versus 7.31 s for the 520d xDrive. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 520d xDrive is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i5 eDrive40 is doing 135 km/h against 116 km/h for the 520d xDrive. The gap is 0.29 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i5 eDrive40 crosses the line in 14.29 s versus 15.32 s. The 1.02 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i5 eDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i5 eDrive40 finishes in 25.87 s versus 28.30 s, with a 2.43 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (232 km/h), the 520d xDrive never recovers its launch deficit.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The 520d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i5 eDrive40’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i5 eDrive40 is capped at 193 km/h, the 520d xDrive at 232 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 12.25 seconds. The 1.19 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, i5 eDrive40 G60 wins (6,12 s vs 7,31 s).

i5 eDrive40 G60 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,12 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i5 eDrive40 G60: 313 hp, ratio 6,81 kg/hp. 520d xDrive G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,97 kg/hp.

i5 eDrive40 G60: 193 km/h. 520d xDrive G30: 232 km/h.