BMW 330e G20 vs Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 330e hits 100 km/h in 5.92 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC. The instant torque of 420 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 330e leads by 2.40 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 330e is doing 128 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC. The gap is 1.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 330e crosses the line in 14.23 s versus 16.03 s. The 1.79 s gap represents roughly 67 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 330e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 330e finishes in 26.25 s versus 29.55 s, with a 3.30 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 330e is capped at 230 km/h, the V 300 d 4MATIC at 217 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 14.08 seconds. The 2.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.