BMW iX3 G08 vs Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long): which is truly faster?

Off the line, the iX3 hits 100 km/h in 6.86 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 1.46 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the iX3 is doing 126 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The gap is 0.35 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the iX3 crosses the line in 15.07 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.95 s gap represents roughly 36 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the iX3 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the iX3 finishes in 27.54 s versus 29.55 s, with a 2.02 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (210 km/h), the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the iX3 is capped at 180 km/h, the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) 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 1.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.