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ACPHEVvsB128tiPetrol
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  • SpecsC · 128ti

Mercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 vs BMW 128ti F40: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2024 vs 2020 · Methodology
MercedesPHEVFaster

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

381 hp · 650 Nm · 2,130 kg · 2024

VS
BMWPetrol

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

5.29 s

Gap0.98 sin favour of C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine
BBMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureC 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206128ti F40Gap
0–100 km/h5.29 s6.27 s0.98 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
400 m standing start13.55 s14.44 s0.89 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
1,000 m standing start24.54 s25.87 s1.33 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h250 km/h10 km/h · 128ti F40
Power-to-weight ratio5.59 kg/hp5.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 128ti F40

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

MercedesPHEVC 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol128ti F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageC 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206128ti F40
0–30 km/h1.36 s1.81 s
0–50 km/h2.05 s3.01 s
0–80 km/h3.73 s4.76 s
0–100 km/h5.29 s6.27 s
0–120 km/h7.11 s8.20 s
0–160 km/h12.14 s13.63 s
0–200 km/h19.52 s22.97 s
400 m standing start13.55 s14.44 s
1,000 m standing start24.54 s25.87 s
Top speed limited240 km/h250 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Mercedes

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

5,59kg/hpcompensated by −685 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power381 hp4 cyl
Torque650 Nm
Weight2 130 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpratio better by 0,14 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 6.27 s for the 128ti. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine leads by 0.98 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is doing 135 km/h against 132 km/h for the 128ti. The gap is 0.78 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 14.44 s. The 0.89 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine finishes in 24.53 s versus 25.86 s, with a 1.33 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is capped at 240 km/h, the 128ti 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 9.33 seconds. The 0.98 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 wins (5,29 s vs 6,27 s).

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,29 seconds (calibrated simulation).

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp. 128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp.

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 240 km/h. 128ti F40: 250 km/h.