BMW, as a company, has a history of over 100 years. Known for its excellence in engineering, BMW has always emphasized performance. The first car they produced after the Second World War was the BMW 501, which originally took 19 seconds to reach 60 mph. A decade later, it was able to achieve the same speed in under 11 seconds. Referred to as “Baroque Angels” by the public due to its elegant coachwork, the car also offered exceptional luxury.
Criteria For “Fastest”
The three criteria are top speed, acceleration, and cornering. The top end refers to the vehicle’s maximum speed without a governor and without exceeding the red line. Acceleration is usually measured by the vehicle’s time to reach 60 mph and, in some cases, 100 mph. Cornering refers to how well the vehicle stays grounded on a skid pad before skidding. The top end is measured in raw mph, acceleration in seconds, and cornering in G-force.
Fastest BMW
The 2024 BMW M3 can reach speeds of over 200 mph without its stock governor and accelerate to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Even the 2025 BMW i7, an EV, can’t match that. The M3 grips with 1.06 G-force on the skid pad, making it a true leader in sports driving. The M5 lags slightly behind its smaller cousin in all categories.
BMW Hybrids and EVs
The BMW hybrids generally provide between 30 miles and 38 miles of all-electric range. Most of the hybrids will achieve 60 mph in anywhere from 3.9 seconds to 4.7 seconds when counting both the electric and gasoline-powered engines. Interestingly, the 2024 BMW X5 SUV led the way as the BMW hybrid with the fastest acceleration.
The i7 M70 is the latest EV. Its top speed is governed at 155 mph, but the acceleration to 60 mph is 3.3 seconds. The i7’s biggest claim to fame is the Level-III autonomous driving capability. Although Personal Pilot L3 is limited to 37 mph, the presence of the technology hints at a future where the autonomous features will function at higher speeds.
Visit Newbold BMW
BMW is near the top of the luxury sedan market and is a major player in the SUV realm. The brand’s legendary performance and engineering permeate every model. The BMW legacy of speed, acceleration, and cornering seems to be in good hands. If you are looking for a fast BMW, visit us at Newbold BMW near St. Louis, Collinsville, or Fairview Heights, IL, to test drive our vehicles.
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