Xpeng G9 vs BMW X1 sDrive20d F48: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X1 sDrive20d hits 100 km/h in 8.03 s versus 8.51 s for the G9. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X1 sDrive20d leads by 0.48 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X1 sDrive20d is doing 118 km/h against 120 km/h for the G9. The gap is 0.45 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the X1 sDrive20d crosses the line in 15.95 s versus 16.32 s. The 0.36 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The G9 maxes out at 200 km/h while the X1 sDrive20d keeps accelerating towards 222 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.25 s.

Around 936 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the G9 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 22 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the G9 finishes in 28.71 s versus 28.76 s. The 0.06 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the G9 is capped at 200 km/h, the X1 sDrive20d at 222 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 12.63 seconds. The 0.48 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.