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  • SpecsBorn · AMG

Cupra Born VZ vs Mercedes AMG A 35 4MATIC W177: 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.

compact · 2022 vs 2019 · Methodology
CupraBEV

Born VZ

308 hp · 310 Nm · 1,748 kg · 2022

VS
MercedesPetrolFaster

AMG A 35 4MATIC W177

306 hp · 400 Nm · 1,555 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Born VZ

5.73 s

Gap0.99 sin favour of AMG A 35 4MATIC
BMercedes AMG A 35 4MATIC W177

4.75 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureBorn VZAMG A 35 4MATIC W177Gap
0–100 km/h5.73 s4.75 s0.99 s · AMG A 35 4MATIC W177
400 m standing start13.96 s12.99 s0.97 s · AMG A 35 4MATIC W177
1,000 m standing start27.45 s23.39 s4.06 s · AMG A 35 4MATIC W177
Top speed (electronically limited)160 km/h250 km/h90 km/h · AMG A 35 4MATIC W177
Power-to-weight ratio5.68 kg/hp5.08 kg/hpbetter ratio · AMG A 35 4MATIC W177

Watch the race

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

CupraBEVBorn VZ
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
MercedesPetrolAMG A 35 4MATIC W177
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.
StageBorn VZAMG A 35 4MATIC W177
0–30 km/h1.67 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h2.79 s2.13 s
0–80 km/h4.50 s3.57 s
0–100 km/h5.73 s4.75 s
0–120 km/h7.31 s6.33 s
0–160 km/h12.29 s10.42 s
0–200 km/h-16.49 s
400 m standing start13.96 s12.99 s
1,000 m standing start27.45 s23.39 s
Top speed limited160 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.

Cupra

Born VZ

5,68kg/hpcompensated by −193 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power308 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 748 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
Mercedes

AMG A 35 4MATIC W177

5,08kg/hpratio better by 0,59 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power306 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 555 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7G-DCT dual-clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the AMG A 35 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.75 s versus 5.73 s for the Born VZ. Despite lacking instant torque, 306 hp of power compensates. At this point, the AMG A 35 4MATIC leads by 0.99 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC is doing 144 km/h against 138 km/h for the Born VZ. The gap is 0.71 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the AMG A 35 4MATIC crosses the line in 12.98 s versus 13.96 s. The 0.97 s gap represents roughly 43 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 201 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the AMG A 35 4MATIC finishes in 23.39 s versus 27.45 s, with a 4.06 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The AMG A 35 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Born VZ’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 are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Born VZ is capped at 160 km/h, the AMG A 35 4MATIC at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 8.30 seconds. The 0.99 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, AMG A 35 4MATIC W177 wins (4,75 s vs 5,73 s).

Born VZ goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Born VZ: 308 hp, ratio 5,68 kg/hp. AMG A 35 4MATIC W177: 306 hp, ratio 5,08 kg/hp.

Born VZ: 160 km/h. AMG A 35 4MATIC W177: 250 km/h.