Mercedes C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 vs Audi A5 Avant: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Avant. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon leads by 2.43 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon is doing 135 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 1.64 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon crosses the line in 13.55 s versus 15.70 s. The 2.15 s gap represents roughly 88 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon finishes in 24.53 s versus 27.94 s, with a 3.40 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 245 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A5 Avant’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon is capped at 240 km/h, the A5 Avant at 245 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 11.72 seconds. The 2.43 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.