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  • SpecsC · 218i

Mercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 vs BMW 218i F44: 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 2019 · Methodology
MercedesPHEVFaster

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

381 hp · 650 Nm · 2,130 kg · 2024

VS
BMWPetrol

218i F44

140 hp · 220 Nm · 1,350 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

5.29 s

Gap3.33 sin favour of C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine
BBMW 218i F44

8.62 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureC 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206218i F44Gap
0–100 km/h5.29 s8.62 s3.33 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
400 m standing start13.55 s16.35 s2.80 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
1,000 m standing start24.54 s29.76 s5.22 s · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h215 km/h25 km/h · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206
Power-to-weight ratio5.59 kg/hp9.64 kg/hpbetter ratio · C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206

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
BMWPetrol218i F44
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 W206218i F44
0–30 km/h1.36 s1.96 s
0–50 km/h2.05 s3.27 s
0–80 km/h3.73 s6.05 s
0–100 km/h5.29 s8.62 s
0–120 km/h7.11 s11.94 s
0–160 km/h12.14 s22.26 s
0–200 km/h19.52 s47.03 s
400 m standing start13.55 s16.35 s
1,000 m standing start24.54 s29.76 s
Top speed240 km/h215 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/hpratio better by 4,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power381 hp4 cyl
Torque650 Nm
Weight2 130 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

218i F44

9,64kg/hpcompensated by −780 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power140 hpPending
Torque220 Nm
Weight1 350 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch 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 8.62 s for the 218i. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine leads by 3.33 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is doing 135 km/h against 113 km/h for the 218i. The gap is 1.86 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 16.35 s. The 2.80 s gap represents roughly 104 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 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine finishes in 24.53 s versus 29.76 s, with a 5.22 s lead.

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 218i at 215 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 13.97 seconds. The 3.33 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 8,62 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. 218i F44: 140 hp, ratio 9,64 kg/hp.

C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 240 km/h. 218i F44: 215 km/h.