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AM5vsBXC40Petrol
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsM5 · XC40

BMW M5 Competition F90 vs Volvo XC40 B4: 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 · 2018 vs 2022 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M5 Competition F90

625 hp · 750 Nm · 1,865 kg · 2018

VS
VolvoPetrol

XC40 B4

197 hp · 300 Nm · 1,610 kg · 2022

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M5 Competition F90

3.33 s

Gap4.90 sin favour of M5 Competition
BVolvo XC40 B4

8.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM5 Competition F90XC40 B4Gap
0–100 km/h3.33 s8.23 s4.90 s · M5 Competition F90
400 m standing start11.11 s16.11 s5.00 s · M5 Competition F90
1,000 m standing start20.22 s29.39 s9.17 s · M5 Competition F90
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h180 km/h70 km/h · M5 Competition F90
Power-to-weight ratio2.98 kg/hp8.17 kg/hpbetter ratio · M5 Competition F90

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM5 Competition F90
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
VolvoPetrolXC40 B4
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.
StageM5 Competition F90XC40 B4
0–30 km/h1.01 s1.98 s
0–50 km/h1.68 s3.12 s
0–80 km/h2.63 s5.74 s
0–100 km/h3.33 s8.23 s
0–120 km/h4.12 s11.35 s
0–160 km/h6.67 s21.46 s
0–200 km/h10.30 s-
400 m standing start11.11 s16.11 s
1,000 m standing start20.22 s29.39 s
Top speed limited250 km/h180 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

M5 Competition F90

2,98kg/hpratio better by 5,19 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power625 hpPending
Torque750 Nm
Weight1 865 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, transmission oil cooling
Volvo

XC40 B4

8,17kg/hpcompensated by −255 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power197 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 610 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox8-speed Geartronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M5 Competition hits 100 km/h in 3.33 s versus 8.23 s for the XC40 B4. At this point, the M5 Competition leads by 4.90 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M5 Competition is doing 168 km/h against 115 km/h for the XC40 B4. The gap is 3.23 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M5 Competition crosses the line in 11.11 s versus 16.10 s. The 5.00 s gap represents roughly 181 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M5 Competition continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 234 km/h versus 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M5 Competition finishes in 20.21 s versus 29.39 s, with a 9.17 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The M5 Competition features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the XC40 B4’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 M5 Competition is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the XC40 B4 at 180 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (2.98 kg/hp vs 8.17 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.40 seconds. The 4.90 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, M5 Competition F90 wins (3,33 s vs 8,23 s).

M5 Competition F90 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,33 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M5 Competition F90: 625 hp, ratio 2,98 kg/hp. XC40 B4: 197 hp, ratio 8,17 kg/hp.

M5 Competition F90: 250 km/h. XC40 B4: 180 km/h.