Over 0–100 km/h, 420d xDrive F32 wins (7,48 s vs 8,36 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | 9 E-Tense 250 | 420d xDrive F32 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 8.36 s | 7.48 s | 0.88 s · 420d xDrive F32 |
| 400 m standing start | 16.22 s | 15.44 s | 0.78 s · 420d xDrive F32 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.57 s | 28.37 s | 0.20 s · 420d xDrive F32 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 235 km/h | 237 km/h | 2 km/h · 420d xDrive F32 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7.51 kg/hp | 8.79 kg/hp | better ratio · 9 E-Tense 250 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | 9 E-Tense 250 | 420d xDrive F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.40 s | 1.44 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 4.01 s | 2.53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 6.47 s | 5.09 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.36 s | 7.48 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.88 s | 10.50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18.12 s | 19.45 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 31.70 s | 36.38 s |
| 400 m standing start | 16.22 s | 15.44 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.57 s | 28.37 s |
| Top speed | 235 km/h | 237 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 253 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 520 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 900 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 670 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 420d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.48 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 420d xDrive leads by 0.88 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 420d xDrive is doing 117 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.02 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 420d xDrive crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.78 s gap represents roughly 33 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.
At 1,000 metres, the 420d xDrive finishes in 28.37 s versus 28.57 s, with just 0.20 s to spare. The 9 E-Tense 250 fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 238 km/h, the 420d xDrive 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 12.38 seconds. The 0.88 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, 420d xDrive F32 wins (7,48 s vs 8,36 s).
9 E-Tense 250 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).
9 E-Tense 250: 253 hp, ratio 7,51 kg/hp. 420d xDrive F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,79 kg/hp.
9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. 420d xDrive F32: 237 km/h.