BYD Dolphin Boost 150kW vs Mercedes C 220 d W206: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Dolphin Boost 150kW hits 100 km/h in 6.93 s versus 7.27 s for the C 220 d. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the C 220 d is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the C 220 d is doing 120 km/h against 126 km/h for the Dolphin Boost 150kW. The gap is 0.05 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Dolphin Boost 150kW crosses the line in 15.13 s versus 15.28 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Dolphin Boost 150kW maxes out at 160 km/h while the C 220 d keeps accelerating towards 237 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.11 s.

Around 672 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the C 220 d overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 77 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the C 220 d finishes in 27.67 s versus 28.66 s. The 0.99 s delta in favour of the C 220 d shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Dolphin Boost 150kW is capped at 160 km/h, the C 220 d at 237 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 11.48 seconds. The 0.34 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.