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A330dvsBCDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs330d · C

BMW 330d G20 vs Mercedes C 300 d W206: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2019 vs 2022 · Methodology
BMWDieselFaster

330d G20

265 hp · 580 Nm · 1,590 kg · 2019

VS
MercedesDiesel

C 300 d W206

265 hp · 550 Nm · 1,665 kg · 2022

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 330d G20

5.40 s

Gap0.25 sin favour of 330d
BMercedes C 300 d W206

5.65 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure330d G20C 300 d W206Gap
0–100 km/h5.40 s5.65 s0.25 s · 330d G20
400 m standing start13.68 s13.88 s0.20 s · 330d G20
1,000 m standing start24.90 s25.27 s0.37 s · 330d G20
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h250 km/hSame
Power-to-weight ratio6.00 kg/hp6.28 kg/hpbetter ratio · 330d G20

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWDiesel330d G20
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
MercedesDieselC 300 d W206
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage330d G20C 300 d W206
0–30 km/h1.32 s1.22 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.17 s2.12 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h3.87 s4.05 s
0–100 km/h5.40 s5.65 s
0–120 km/h7.32 s7.73 s
0–160 km/h12.63 s13.34 s
0–200 km/h20.83 s21.94 s
400 m standing start13.68 s13.88 s
1,000 m standing start24.90 s25.27 s
Top speed limited250 km/h250 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

330d G20

6,00kg/hpratio better by 0,28 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hpPending
Torque580 Nm
Weight1 590 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Mercedes

C 300 d W206

6,28kg/hpcompensated by −75 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hpPending
Torque550 Nm
Weight1 665 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox9G-Tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 330d hits 100 km/h in 5.40 s versus 5.65 s for the C 300 d. The 0.25 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 330d is doing 134 km/h against 131 km/h for the C 300 d. The gap is 0.09 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330d crosses the line in 13.68 s versus 13.88 s. The 0.20 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 330d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 187 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330d finishes in 24.90 s versus 25.26 s, with a 0.37 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.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the 330d and the C 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 (6.00 kg/hp vs 6.28 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.87 seconds. The 0.25 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of C 300 d W206
Audi A5 SedanAudi A5 Sedan TDI quattro S tronic 150 kW

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BMWVSMercedes

330d xDrive vs C 300 d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 330d G20 wins (5,40 s vs 5,65 s).

330d G20 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,40 seconds (calibrated simulation).

330d G20: 265 hp, ratio 6,00 kg/hp. C 300 d W206: 265 hp, ratio 6,28 kg/hp.

330d G20: 250 km/h. C 300 d W206: 250 km/h.