Jaguar I-PACE EV400 vs Mercedes S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the I-PACE EV400 hits 100 km/h in 4.84 s versus 5.47 s for the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version. The instant torque of 696 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version is 3 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the I-PACE EV400 is doing 141 km/h against 131 km/h for the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version. The gap is 0.22 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 13.68 s. The 0.50 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the I-PACE EV400 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 192 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the I-PACE EV400 finishes in 24.36 s versus 24.99 s, with a 0.63 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the I-PACE EV400 is capped at 200 km/h, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version 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 8.74 seconds. The 0.63 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.