DS DS9 E-Tense 250 vs Volvo XC40 B4: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the XC40 B4 hits 100 km/h in 8.23 s versus 8.36 s for the DS9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 197 hp of power compensates. At this point, the XC40 B4 leads by 0.13 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the XC40 B4 is doing 115 km/h against 121 km/h for the DS9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.44 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the XC40 B4 crosses the line in 16.10 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The XC40 B4 maxes out at 180 km/h while the DS9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.20 s.

Around 475 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the DS9 E-Tense 250 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 55 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the DS9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 29.39 s. The 0.82 s delta in favour of the DS9 E-Tense 250 shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Electronically capped at 180 km/h, the XC40 B4 never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 13.40 seconds. The 0.13 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.