Over 0–100 km/h, X5 M50d F15 and 540i G30 are neck and neck (5,06 s vs 5,15 s, no significant gap).
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 | 540i G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s | 5,06 s+0,09 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s | 13,21 s+0,26 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s | 23,70 s+0,91 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,69 kg/hp | 4,69 kg/hpbetter ratio |
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 | 540i G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,33 s | 1,43 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 2,38 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,71 s | 3,82 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,15 s | 5,06 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,95 s | 6,59 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,03 s | 10,74 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,34 s | 16,99 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,47 s | 13,21 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,61 s | 23,70 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 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 | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 450 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 595 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Bmw 540i hits 100 km/h in 5.06 s versus 5.15 s for the Bmw X5 M50d. The 0.09 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 540i is doing 143 km/h against 136 km/h for the Bmw X5 M50d. The gap is 0.03 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 540i crosses the line in 13.21 s versus 13.47 s. The 0.26 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 540i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 200 km/h versus 189 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 540i finishes in 23.70 s versus 24.60 s, with a 0.90 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
The Bmw X5 M50d features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 540i’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 share the same electronic speed cap: the Bmw X5 M50d and the Bmw 540i are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.69 kg/hp vs 4.69 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.07 seconds. The 0.09 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, X5 M50d F15 and 540i G30 are neck and neck (5,06 s vs 5,15 s, no significant gap).
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. 540i G30: 340 hp, ratio 4,69 kg/hp.
X5 M50d F15: 250 km/h. 540i G30: 250 km/h.