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AS90PetrolvsB320dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsS90 · 320d

Volvo S90 B5 AWD vs BMW 320d Steptronic G20: 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 · 2022 vs 2019 · Methodology
VolvoPetrolFaster

S90 B5 AWD

250 hp · 350 Nm · 1,795 kg · 2022

VS
BMWDiesel

320d Steptronic G20

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,455 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AVolvo S90 B5 AWD

6.58 s

Gap0.39 sin favour of S90 B5 AWD
BBMW 320d Steptronic G20

6.97 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureS90 B5 AWD320d Steptronic G20Gap
0–100 km/h6.58 s6.97 s0.39 s · S90 B5 AWD
400 m standing start14.76 s15.11 s0.35 s · S90 B5 AWD
1,000 m standing start27.11 s27.70 s0.59 s · S90 B5 AWD
Top speed (electronically limited)180 km/h237 km/h57 km/h · 320d Steptronic G20
Power-to-weight ratio7.18 kg/hp7.66 kg/hpbetter ratio · S90 B5 AWD

Watch the race

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

VolvoPetrolS90 B5 AWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel320d Steptronic G20
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.
StageS90 B5 AWD320d Steptronic G20
0–30 km/h1.70 s1.49 s
0–50 km/h2.57 s2.52 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.64 s4.85 s
0–100 km/h6.58 s6.97 s
0–120 km/h8.89 s9.73 s
0–160 km/h15.63 s17.81 s
0–200 km/h-32.74 s
400 m standing start14.76 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start27.11 s27.70 s
Top speed180 km/h237 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.

Volvo

S90 B5 AWD

7,18kg/hpratio better by 0,48 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power250 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 795 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Geartronic
BMW

320d Steptronic G20

7,66kg/hpcompensated by −340 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 455 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the S90 B5 AWD hits 100 km/h in 6.58 s versus 6.97 s for the 320d Steptronic. The 0.39 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the S90 B5 AWD is doing 125 km/h against 120 km/h for the 320d Steptronic. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S90 B5 AWD crosses the line in 14.75 s versus 15.10 s. The 0.35 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the S90 B5 AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 176 km/h versus 167 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S90 B5 AWD finishes in 27.11 s versus 27.70 s, with a 0.59 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (237 km/h), the 320d Steptronic never recovers its launch deficit.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S90 B5 AWD is capped at 180 km/h, the 320d Steptronic at 240 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 combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.18 kg/hp vs 7.66 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.35 seconds. The 0.39 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of S90 B5 AWD
Audi A5 Sedan
Instead of 320d Steptronic G20
BMW 520iBMW 520i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, S90 B5 AWD wins (6,58 s vs 6,97 s).

S90 B5 AWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,58 seconds (calibrated simulation).

S90 B5 AWD: 250 hp, ratio 7,18 kg/hp. 320d Steptronic G20: 190 hp, ratio 7,66 kg/hp.

S90 B5 AWD: 180 km/h. 320d Steptronic G20: 237 km/h.