Over 0–100 km/h, X5 M50d F15 wins (5,15 s vs 7,56 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.
| X5 M50d F15 | 520i G60 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s−2,41 s | 7,56 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s−2,12 s | 15,59 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s−3,65 s | 28,26 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+20 km/h | 230 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,69 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,29 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 | X5 M50d F15 | 520i G60 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,33 s | 1,84 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 3,06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,71 s | 5,40 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s | 7,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,95 s | 10,35 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,03 s | 18,52 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,34 s | 34,32 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s | 15,59 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s | 28,26 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 230 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 | 2 275 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 208 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 330 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 725 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw X5 M50d hits 100 km/h in 5.15 s versus 7.56 s for the Bmw 520i. At this point, the Bmw X5 M50d leads by 2.41 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw X5 M50d is doing 136 km/h against 119 km/h for the Bmw 520i. The gap is 1.45 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw X5 M50d crosses the line in 13.47 s versus 15.58 s. The 2.11 s gap represents roughly 84 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw X5 M50d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 189 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw X5 M50d finishes in 24.60 s versus 28.25 s, with a 3.65 s lead.
The Bmw X5 M50d features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 520i’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 Bmw X5 M50d is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 520i at 230 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 (5.69 kg/hp vs 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.02 seconds. The 2.41 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, X5 M50d F15 wins (5,15 s vs 7,56 s).
X5 M50d F15 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,15 seconds (calibrated simulation).
X5 M50d F15: 400 hp, ratio 5,69 kg/hp. 520i G60: 208 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
X5 M50d F15: 250 km/h. 520i G60: 230 km/h.