BYD Seal 313 2WD vs BMW 125i F20LCI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Seal 313 2WD hits 100 km/h in 6.00 s versus 6.15 s for the 125i. The instant torque of 360 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 125i is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Seal 313 2WD is doing 135 km/h against 131 km/h for the 125i. The gap is 0.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Seal 313 2WD crosses the line in 14.21 s versus 14.35 s. The 0.15 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Seal 313 2WD maxes out at 180 km/h while the 125i keeps accelerating towards 243 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.20 s.

Around 806 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 125i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 63 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 125i finishes in 25.91 s versus 26.31 s. The 0.41 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Seal 313 2WD is capped at 180 km/h, the 125i at 243 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 9.35 seconds. The 0.15 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.