Over 0–100 km/h, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 5,83 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.
| S5 Sedan | E 300 d W214 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s−1,33 s | 5,83 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s−1,24 s | 14,04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s−2,11 s | 25,50 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,31 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,15 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S5 Sedan | E 300 d W214 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 1,25 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 2,17 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,22 s | 4,17 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,50 s | 5,83 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,11 s | 7,98 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,43 s | 13,75 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,98 s | 22,44 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s | 14,04 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,39 s | 25,50 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 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 | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 950 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 265 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 895 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 9G-Tronic |
Off the line, the S5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.50 s versus 5.83 s for the E 300 d. At this point, the S5 Sedan leads by 1.33 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S5 Sedan is doing 142 km/h against 130 km/h for the E 300 d. The gap is 0.81 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S5 Sedan crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 14.03 s. The 1.23 s gap represents roughly 54 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S5 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 183 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S5 Sedan finishes in 23.38 s versus 25.49 s, with a 2.11 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
The S5 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the E 300 d’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 share the same electronic speed cap: the S5 Sedan and the E 300 d are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.31 kg/hp vs 7.15 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.16 seconds. The 1.33 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, S5 Sedan wins (4,50 s vs 5,83 s).
S5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,50 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S5 Sedan: 367 hp, ratio 5,31 kg/hp. E 300 d W214: 265 hp, ratio 7,15 kg/hp.
S5 Sedan: 250 km/h. E 300 d W214: 250 km/h.