BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 vs BMW 520d xDrive G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the i7 M70 xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.65 s versus 7.31 s for the 520d xDrive. The instant torque of 1,015 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the i7 M70 xDrive leads by 3.66 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive is doing 155 km/h against 116 km/h for the 520d xDrive. The gap is 2.15 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 15.32 s. The 3.49 s gap represents roughly 132 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 214 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i7 M70 xDrive finishes in 21.61 s versus 28.30 s, with a 6.69 s lead.

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 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 3.66 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.