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Ai7BEVvsB116iPetrol
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  • Specsi7 · 116i

BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 vs BMW 116i 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.

limousine · 2023 vs 2021 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i7 M70 xDrive G70

659 hp · 1015 Nm · 2,795 kg · 2023

VS
BMWPetrol

116i F40

109 hp · 190 Nm · 1,320 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i7 M70 xDrive G70

3.65 s

Gap6.87 sin favour of i7 M70 xDrive
BBMW 116i F40

10.51 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei7 M70 xDrive G70116i F40Gap
0–100 km/h3.65 s10.51 s6.87 s · i7 M70 xDrive G70
400 m standing start11.83 s17.51 s5.68 s · i7 M70 xDrive G70
1,000 m standing start21.61 s32.08 s10.47 s · i7 M70 xDrive G70
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h200 km/h50 km/h · i7 M70 xDrive G70
Power-to-weight ratio4.24 kg/hp12.11 kg/hpbetter ratio · i7 M70 xDrive G70

Watch the race

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

BMWBEVi7 M70 xDrive G70
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol116i 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.
Stagei7 M70 xDrive G70116i F40
0–30 km/h1.01 s2.08 s
0–50 km/h1.68 s3.58 s
0–80 km/h2.73 s7.14 s
0–100 km/h3.65 s10.51 s
0–120 km/h4.80 s15.05 s
0–160 km/h8.23 s30.06 s
0–200 km/h13.17 s115.12 s
400 m standing start11.83 s17.51 s
1,000 m standing start21.61 s32.08 s
Top speed limited250 km/h200 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

i7 M70 xDrive G70

4,24kg/hpratio better by 7,87 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power659 hpPending
Torque1015 Nm
Weight2 795 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed reduction gear
BMW

116i F40

12,11kg/hpcompensated by −1 475 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power109 hp3 cyl
Torque190 Nm
Weight1 320 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxSix-speed manual

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the i7 M70 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.65 s versus 10.51 s for the 116i. The instant torque of 1,015 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i7 M70 xDrive leads by 6.87 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive is doing 155 km/h against 104 km/h for the 116i. The gap is 3.69 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i7 M70 xDrive crosses the line in 11.83 s versus 17.50 s. The 5.67 s gap represents roughly 186 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 214 km/h versus 144 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive finishes in 21.61 s versus 32.08 s, with a 10.47 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The i7 M70 xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 116i’s FWD. 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 i7 M70 xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 116i at 200 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 17.85 seconds. The 6.87 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, i7 M70 xDrive G70 wins (3,65 s vs 10,51 s).

i7 M70 xDrive G70 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i7 M70 xDrive G70: 659 hp, ratio 4,24 kg/hp. 116i F40: 109 hp, ratio 12,11 kg/hp.

i7 M70 xDrive G70: 250 km/h. 116i F40: 200 km/h.