Mercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 vs BMW 120d F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 7.38 s for the 120d. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine leads by 2.09 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is doing 135 km/h against 121 km/h for the 120d. The gap is 1.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine crosses the line in 13.55 s versus 15.41 s. The 1.86 s gap represents roughly 75 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine finishes in 24.53 s versus 27.90 s, with a 3.36 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 231 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is capped at 240 km/h, the 120d at 231 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 11.54 seconds. The 2.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.