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ALeonPHEVvsBAPetrol
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  • SpecsLeon · A

Cupra Leon VZe vs Mercedes A 250 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 · 2023 vs 2019 · Methodology
CupraPHEV

Leon VZe

241 hp · 350 Nm · 1,630 kg · 2023

VS
MercedesPetrolFaster

A 250 W177

224 hp · 350 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ACupra Leon VZe

7.45 s

Gap1.19 sin favour of A 250
BMercedes A 250 W177

6.26 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureLeon VZeA 250 W177Gap
0–100 km/h7.45 s6.26 s1.19 s · A 250 W177
400 m standing start15.42 s14.39 s1.03 s · A 250 W177
1,000 m standing start27.49 s25.56 s1.93 s · A 250 W177
Top speed (electronically limited)225 km/h250 km/h25 km/h · A 250 W177
Power-to-weight ratio6.76 kg/hp6.47 kg/hpbetter ratio · A 250 W177

Watch the race

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

CupraPHEVLeon VZe
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
MercedesPetrolA 250 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.
StageLeon VZeA 250 W177
0–30 km/h2.08 s1.96 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h3.48 s3.04 s
0–80 km/h5.63 s4.70 s
0–100 km/h7.45 s6.26 s
0–120 km/h9.63 s8.08 s
0–160 km/h16.26 s13.25 s
0–200 km/h29.27 s21.39 s
400 m standing start15.42 s14.39 s
1,000 m standing start27.49 s25.56 s
Top speed limited225 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

Leon VZe

6,76kg/hpcompensated by −180 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power241 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 630 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed DSG
Mercedes

A 250 W177

6,47kg/hpratio better by 0,29 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hpPending
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7G-DCT dual-clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the A 250 hits 100 km/h in 6.26 s versus 7.45 s for the Leon VZe. Despite lacking instant torque, 224 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A 250 leads by 1.19 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the A 250 is doing 134 km/h against 126 km/h for the Leon VZe. The gap is 0.71 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A 250 crosses the line in 14.39 s versus 15.41 s. The 1.02 s gap represents roughly 44 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the A 250 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A 250 finishes in 25.56 s versus 27.49 s, with a 1.93 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Leon VZe is capped at 225 km/h, the A 250 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 10.94 seconds. The 1.19 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, A 250 W177 wins (6,26 s vs 7,45 s).

Leon VZe goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Leon VZe: 241 hp, ratio 6,76 kg/hp. A 250 W177: 224 hp, ratio 6,47 kg/hp.

Leon VZe: 225 km/h. A 250 W177: 250 km/h.