Over 0–100 km/h, M550d xDrive G30 wins (4,66 s vs 9,32 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| M550d xDrive G30 | 318d Steptronic F30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,66 s−4,66 s | 9,32 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,92 s−4,00 s | 16,92 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,48 s−7,14 s | 30,62 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+39 km/h | 211 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,66 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | M550d xDrive G30 | 318d Steptronic F30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,26 s | 2,29 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,04 s | 3,72 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,41 s | 6,62 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,66 s | 9,32 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,21 s | 12,90 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,48 s | 24,27 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,02 s | 55,83 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,92 s | 16,92 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,48 s | 30,62 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 211 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 760 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 955 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 148 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 430 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw M550d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.66 s versus 9.32 s for the Bmw 318d Steptronic. At this point, the Bmw M550d xDrive leads by 4.66 s and sits roughly 31 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw M550d xDrive is doing 143 km/h against 111 km/h for the Bmw 318d Steptronic. The gap is 2.70 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw M550d xDrive crosses the line in 12.91 s versus 16.91 s. The 4.00 s gap represents roughly 143 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw M550d xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 199 km/h versus 153 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw M550d xDrive finishes in 23.48 s versus 30.62 s, with a 7.14 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw M550d xDrive is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 318d Steptronic at 212 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 (4.89 kg/hp vs 9.66 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.08 seconds. The 4.66 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, M550d xDrive G30 wins (4,66 s vs 9,32 s).
M550d xDrive G30 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,66 seconds (calibrated simulation).
M550d xDrive G30: 400 hp, ratio 4,89 kg/hp. 318d Steptronic F30: 148 hp, ratio 9,66 kg/hp.
M550d xDrive G30: 250 km/h. 318d Steptronic F30: 211 km/h.