Mercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 vs BMW 330i G20: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 5.88 s for the 330i. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine leads by 0.59 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine is doing 135 km/h against 135 km/h for the 330i. The gap is 0.48 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 14.04 s. The 0.48 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine finishes in 24.53 s versus 25.09 s, with a 0.55 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 330i 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 0.59 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.