Xpeng P7i vs Volvo S90 B5 AWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the P7i hits 100 km/h in 6.31 s versus 6.58 s for the S90 B5 AWD. The instant torque of 430 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.27 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the P7i is doing 129 km/h against 125 km/h for the S90 B5 AWD. The gap is 0.09 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the P7i crosses the line in 14.56 s versus 14.75 s. The 0.19 s gap represents roughly 8 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the P7i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 178 km/h versus 176 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the P7i finishes in 26.38 s versus 27.11 s, with a 0.73 s lead.

The S90 B5 AWD features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the P7i’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 P7i is capped at 200 km/h, the S90 B5 AWD at 180 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 10.37 seconds. The 0.27 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.