Jaguar I-PACE EV400 vs Mercedes G 450 d W463: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the I-PACE EV400 hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.83 s for the G 450 d. The instant torque of 696 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the I-PACE EV400 leads by 1.00 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the I-PACE EV400 is doing 141 km/h against 128 km/h for the G 450 d. The gap is 0.48 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the I-PACE EV400 crosses the line in 13.18 s versus 14.11 s. The 0.93 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the I-PACE EV400 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 192 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the I-PACE EV400 finishes in 24.36 s versus 26.22 s, with a 1.87 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (200 vs 210 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the I-PACE EV400 is capped at 200 km/h, the G 450 d at 210 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 9.41 seconds. The 1.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.