Mercedes C 300 W206 vs DS9 E-Tense 250: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C 300 hits 100 km/h in 6.03 s versus 8.36 s for the 9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 258 hp of power compensates. At this point, the C 300 leads by 2.33 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C 300 is doing 132 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the C 300 crosses the line in 14.22 s versus 16.22 s. The 2.00 s gap represents roughly 82 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the C 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 300 finishes in 25.46 s versus 28.57 s, with a 3.10 s lead.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the C 300 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 12.32 seconds. The 2.33 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.