DS9 E-Tense 250 vs BMW 520d xDrive Touring G60: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 520d xDrive Touring hits 100 km/h in 7.45 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 Touring leads by 0.91 s and sits roughly 32 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 520d xDrive Touring is doing 115 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.12 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 520d xDrive Touring crosses the line in 15.41 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.80 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 520d xDrive Touring maxes out at 218 km/h while the 9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.51 s.

Around 971 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the 9 E-Tense 250 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 17 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 28.61 s. The 0.04 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Electronically capped at 218 km/h, the 520d xDrive 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 12.65 seconds. The 0.91 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.