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A9PHEVvsB520dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs9 · 520d

DS9 E-Tense 250 vs BMW 520d Touring G30: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2019 · Methodology
DSPHEV

9 E-Tense 250

253 hp · 520 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDieselFaster

520d Touring G30

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,740 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS9 E-Tense 250

8.36 s

Gap0.89 sin favour of 520d Touring
BBMW 520d Touring G30

7.47 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure9 E-Tense 250520d Touring G30Gap
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.47 s0.89 s · 520d Touring G30
400 m standing start16.22 s15.43 s0.79 s · 520d Touring G30
1,000 m standing start28.57 s28.60 s0.03 s · 9 E-Tense 250
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h225 km/h10 km/h · 9 E-Tense 250
Power-to-weight ratio7.51 kg/hp9.16 kg/hpbetter ratio · 9 E-Tense 250

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

DSPHEV9 E-Tense 250
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel520d Touring G30
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage9 E-Tense 250520d Touring G30
0–30 km/h2.40 s1.25 s
0–50 km/h4.01 s2.36 s
0–80 km/h6.47 s5.03 s
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.47 s
0–120 km/h10.88 s10.66 s
0–160 km/h18.12 s20.31 s
0–200 km/h31.70 s40.23 s
400 m standing start16.22 s15.43 s
1,000 m standing start28.57 s · tight gap28.60 s
Top speed235 km/h225 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

DS

9 E-Tense 250

7,51kg/hpratio better by 1,65 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power253 hpPending
Torque520 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
BMW

520d Touring G30

9,16kg/hpcompensated by −160 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 740 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 520d Touring hits 100 km/h in 7.47 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 520d Touring leads by 0.89 s and sits roughly 32 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 520d Touring is doing 115 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.10 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520d Touring crosses the line in 15.42 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.79 s gap represents roughly 33 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 520d Touring maxes out at 225 km/h while the 9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.50 s.

Around 979 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 9 E-Tense 250 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 10 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 28.59 s. The 0.03 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the 520d Touring 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 12.58 seconds. The 0.89 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 520d Touring G30 wins (7,47 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. 520d Touring G30: 190 hp, ratio 9,16 kg/hp.

9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. 520d Touring G30: 225 km/h.