BYD Dolphin Boost 150kW vs BMW 520d xDrive G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Dolphin Boost 150kW hits 100 km/h in 6.93 s versus 7.22 s for the 520d xDrive. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 520d xDrive is 16 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the 520d xDrive is doing 116 km/h against 126 km/h for the Dolphin Boost 150kW. The gap is 0.36 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Dolphin Boost 150kW crosses the line in 15.13 s versus 15.20 s. The 0.07 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Dolphin Boost 150kW maxes out at 160 km/h while the 520d xDrive keeps accelerating towards 232 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.26 s.

Around 830 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 520d xDrive overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 72 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 520d xDrive finishes in 28.25 s versus 28.66 s. The 0.40 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Dolphin Boost 150kW is capped at 160 km/h, the 520d xDrive at 232 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 12.27 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.