DS DS9 E-Tense 250 vs BMW 216i Active Tourer G42: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the DS9 E-Tense 250 hits 100 km/h in 8.36 s versus 10.41 s for the Bmw 216i Active Tourer. The instant torque of 520 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the DS9 E-Tense 250 leads by 2.05 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the DS9 E-Tense 250 is doing 121 km/h against 105 km/h for the Bmw 216i Active Tourer. The gap is 0.45 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the DS9 E-Tense 250 crosses the line in 16.22 s versus 17.50 s. The 1.29 s gap represents roughly 46 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the DS9 E-Tense 250 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 146 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the DS9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 31.91 s, with a 3.35 s lead.

Electronically capped at 206 km/h, the Bmw 216i Active Tourer never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 17.46 seconds. The 2.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.