Over 0–100 km/h, CLA 220 Saloon wins (7,31 s vs 7,54 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Leon e-Hybrid | CLA 220 Saloon | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,31 s+0,23 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,32 s+0,16 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s | 27,54 s+0,02 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 240 km/h−15 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 6,76 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,08 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Leon e-Hybrid | CLA 220 Saloon |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,12 s | 1,78 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,54 s | 3,00 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,71 s | 5,21 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,54 s | 7,31 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 9,72 s | 9,81 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 16,35 s | 16,96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,36 s | 28,48 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,48 s | 15,32 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,56 s | 27,54 stight gap |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 240 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 241 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 630 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed DSG |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 211 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 380 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 705 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the CLA 220 Saloon hits 100 km/h in 7.31 s versus 7.54 s for the Leon e-Hybrid. Despite lacking instant torque, 211 hp of power compensates. At this point, the CLA 220 Saloon leads by 0.23 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon is doing 122 km/h against 125 km/h for the Leon e-Hybrid. The gap is 0.31 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the CLA 220 Saloon crosses the line in 15.32 s versus 15.48 s. The 0.16 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Leon e-Hybrid maxes out at 225 km/h while the CLA 220 Saloon keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.07 s from 0.16 s at 400 metres.
At 1,000 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon finishes in 27.53 s versus 27.56 s, with just 0.02 s to spare. The Leon e-Hybrid fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon e-Hybrid is capped at 225 km/h, the CLA 220 Saloon at 240 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 11.41 seconds. The 0.23 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, CLA 220 Saloon wins (7,31 s vs 7,54 s).
Leon e-Hybrid goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Leon e-Hybrid: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. CLA 220 Saloon: 211 hp, ratio 8,08 kg/hp.
Leon e-Hybrid: 225 km/h. CLA 220 Saloon: 240 km/h.