Porsche Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) vs BMW 120i F20LCI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) hits 100 km/h in 3.95 s versus 7.12 s for the 120i. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) leads by 3.18 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) is doing 155 km/h against 122 km/h for the 120i. The gap is 2.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) crosses the line in 12.01 s versus 15.22 s. The 3.21 s gap represents roughly 128 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 218 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) finishes in 21.62 s versus 27.52 s, with a 5.90 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus (PB) is capped at 249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 120i at 225 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

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 11.27 seconds. The 3.18 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.