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AX5PetrolvsBi3BEV
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  • SpecsX5 · i3

BMW X5 M Competition G05 vs BMW i3 I01: 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.

large SUV · 2021 vs 2018 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

X5 M Competition G05

625 hp · 750 Nm · 2,335 kg · 2021

VS
BMWBEV

i3 I01

170 hp · 250 Nm · 1,270 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW X5 M Competition G05

3.83 s

Gap3.41 sin favour of X5 M Competition
BBMW i3 I01

7.24 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureX5 M Competition G05i3 I01Gap
0–100 km/h3.83 s7.24 s3.41 s · X5 M Competition G05
400 m standing start11.95 s15.40 s3.45 s · X5 M Competition G05
1,000 m standing start21.80 s29.80 s8.00 s · X5 M Competition G05
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h150 km/h100 km/h · X5 M Competition G05
Power-to-weight ratio3.74 kg/hp7.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · X5 M Competition G05

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolX5 M Competition G05
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWBEVi3 I01
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.
StageX5 M Competition G05i3 I01
0–30 km/h1.06 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h1.73 s3.14 s
0–80 km/h2.90 s5.25 s
0–100 km/h3.83 s7.24 s
0–120 km/h5.02 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h8.23 s-
0–200 km/h13.32 s-
400 m standing start11.95 s15.40 s
1,000 m standing start21.80 s29.80 s
Top speed limited250 km/h150 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

X5 M Competition G05

3,74kg/hpratio better by 3,73 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power625 hpPending
Torque750 Nm
Weight2 335 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic
BMW

i3 I01

7,47kg/hpcompensated by −1 065 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power170 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 270 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the X5 M Competition hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 7.24 s for the i3. Despite lacking instant torque, 625 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X5 M Competition leads by 3.41 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the X5 M Competition is doing 155 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 2.33 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X5 M Competition crosses the line in 11.94 s versus 15.40 s. The 3.46 s gap represents roughly 136 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the X5 M Competition continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X5 M Competition finishes in 21.80 s versus 29.80 s, with a 8.00 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The X5 M Competition features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i3’s RWD. 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 X5 M Competition is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the i3 at 150 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 11.47 seconds. The 3.41 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, X5 M Competition G05 wins (3,83 s vs 7,24 s).

X5 M Competition G05 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).

X5 M Competition G05: 625 hp, ratio 3,74 kg/hp. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.

X5 M Competition G05: 250 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.