BMW M140i xDrive F20LCI vs Renault Megane 3 RS 265: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the M140i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.43 s versus 6.08 s for the Megane 3 RS 265. At this point, the M140i xDrive leads by 1.65 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the M140i xDrive is doing 147 km/h against 137 km/h for the Megane 3 RS 265. The gap is 1.09 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M140i xDrive crosses the line in 12.64 s versus 14.03 s. The 1.39 s gap represents roughly 64 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the M140i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 203 km/h versus 193 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M140i xDrive finishes in 23.01 s versus 24.97 s, with a 1.96 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

The M140i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Megane 3 RS 265’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 share the same electronic speed cap: the M140i xDrive and the Megane 3 RS 265 are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.53 kg/hp vs 5.19 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.63 seconds. The 1.65 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.