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A9PHEVvsB520dDiesel
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  • Specs9 · 520d

DS9 E-Tense 250 vs BMW 520d xDrive G60: 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 2025 · Methodology
DSPHEV

9 E-Tense 250

253 hp · 520 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
BMWDieselFaster

520d xDrive G60

197 hp · 400 Nm · 1,830 kg · 2025

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS9 E-Tense 250

8.36 s

Gap0.96 sin favour of 520d xDrive
BBMW 520d xDrive G60

7.40 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure9 E-Tense 250520d xDrive G60Gap
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.40 s0.96 s · 520d xDrive G60
400 m standing start16.22 s15.46 s0.76 s · 520d xDrive G60
1,000 m standing start28.57 s28.18 s0.39 s · 520d xDrive G60
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h228 km/h7 km/h · 9 E-Tense 250
Power-to-weight ratio7.51 kg/hp9.29 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 xDrive G60
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 xDrive G60
0–30 km/h2.40 s1.71 s
0–50 km/h4.01 s2.83 s
0–80 km/h6.47 s5.16 s
0–100 km/h8.36 s7.40 s
0–120 km/h10.88 s10.34 s
0–160 km/h18.12 s18.56 s
0–200 km/h31.70 s34.48 s
400 m standing start16.22 s15.46 s
1,000 m standing start28.57 s28.18 s
Top speed235 km/h228 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 1,78 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power253 hpPending
Torque520 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
BMW

520d xDrive G60

9,29kg/hpcompensated by −70 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power197 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 830 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 520d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.40 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 197 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 520d xDrive leads by 0.96 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 520d xDrive is doing 118 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.91 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520d xDrive crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.76 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The 520d xDrive maxes out at 228 km/h while the 9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.64 s from 0.76 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the 520d xDrive finishes in 28.18 s versus 28.57 s, with just 0.39 s to spare. The 9 E-Tense 250 fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 228 km/h, the 520d 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 12.32 seconds. The 0.96 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 xDrive G60 wins (7,40 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 xDrive G60: 197 hp, ratio 9,29 kg/hp.

9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. 520d xDrive G60: 228 km/h.