Over 0–100 km/h, X3 M40i G01 wins (4,78 s vs 5,58 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.
| X3 M40i G01 | X5 xDrive40d G05 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,78 s−0,80 s | 5,58 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,02 s−0,90 s | 13,92 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,68 s−1,86 s | 25,54 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+5 km/h | 245 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,13 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,47 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 | X3 M40i G01 | X5 xDrive40d G05 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,28 s | 1,35 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,12 s | 2,20 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,53 s | 3,96 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,78 s | 5,58 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,35 s | 7,65 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,65 s | 13,54 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,43 s | 23,78 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,02 s | 13,92 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,68 s | 25,54 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 245 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 360 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 845 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 340 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 200 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the X3 M40i hits 100 km/h in 4.78 s versus 5.58 s for the X5 xDrive40d. At this point, the X3 M40i leads by 0.80 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the X3 M40i is doing 142 km/h against 131 km/h for the X5 xDrive40d. The gap is 0.51 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the X3 M40i crosses the line in 13.02 s versus 13.92 s. The 0.90 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the X3 M40i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 197 km/h versus 181 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X3 M40i finishes in 23.67 s versus 25.54 s, with a 1.86 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the X3 M40i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the X5 xDrive40d at 245 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 (5.13 kg/hp vs 6.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.87 seconds. The 0.80 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, X3 M40i G01 wins (4,78 s vs 5,58 s).
X3 M40i G01 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,78 seconds (calibrated simulation).
X3 M40i G01: 360 hp, ratio 5,13 kg/hp. X5 xDrive40d G05: 340 hp, ratio 6,47 kg/hp.
X3 M40i G01: 250 km/h. X5 xDrive40d G05: 245 km/h.