Over 0–100 km/h, E 400 e 4MATIC W214 wins (5,30 s vs 5,82 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Q7 SUV | E 400 e 4MATIC W214 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,82 s | 5,30 s+0,52 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,16 s | 13,57 s+0,59 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,06 s | 24,58 s+1,48 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 235 km/h | 250 km/h−15 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,05 kg/hp | 5,89 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Q7 SUV | E 400 e 4MATIC W214 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,40 s | 1,36 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,34 s | 2,06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,13 s | 3,74 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,82 s | 5,30 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,00 s | 7,13 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14,39 s | 12,19 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 26,59 s | 19,66 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,16 s | 13,57 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,06 s | 24,58 s |
| Top speed limited | 235 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 394 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 600 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 385 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 245 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 5.82 s for the Q7 SUV. At this point, the E 400 e 4MATIC leads by 0.52 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 129 km/h for the Q7 SUV. The gap is 0.34 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the E 400 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 13.57 s versus 14.16 s. The 0.59 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 177 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC finishes in 24.58 s versus 26.06 s, with a 1.48 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q7 SUV is capped at 240 km/h, the E 400 e 4MATIC 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.05 kg/hp vs 5.89 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.29 seconds. The 0.52 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, E 400 e 4MATIC W214 wins (5,30 s vs 5,82 s).
Q7 SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,82 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Q7 SUV: 394 hp, ratio 6,05 kg/hp. E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 381 hp, ratio 5,89 kg/hp.
Q7 SUV: 235 km/h. E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 250 km/h.