Xpeng P7 vs BMW 525d G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the P7 hits 100 km/h in 6.58 s versus 6.69 s for the Bmw 525d. The instant torque of 390 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the P7 leads by 0.11 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the P7 is doing 127 km/h against 128 km/h for the Bmw 525d. The gap is 0.10 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the P7 crosses the line in 14.81 s versus 14.83 s. The 0.02 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The P7 maxes out at 170 km/h while the Bmw 525d keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.12 s.

Around 427 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw 525d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 80 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 525d finishes in 26.49 s versus 27.64 s. The 1.15 s delta in favour of the Bmw 525d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the P7 is capped at 170 km/h, the Bmw 525d 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.

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 10.18 seconds. The 0.11 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.