Tesla Model S 85 vs BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance G11: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.32 s versus 5.75 s for the Model S 85. At this point, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance leads by 0.42 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance is doing 134 km/h against 137 km/h for the Model S 85. The gap is 0.49 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance crosses the line in 13.54 s versus 13.94 s. The 0.40 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance finishes in 24.72 s versus 25.17 s, with a 0.44 s lead.

The 740Le xDrive iPerformance features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model S 85’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S 85 is capped at 201 km/h, the 740Le xDrive iPerformance at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.

With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.82 kg/hp vs 6.13 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.41 seconds. The 0.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.