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

Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 5.40 s for the Bmw 330d. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon leads by 0.11 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon is doing 135 km/h against 134 km/h for the Bmw 330d. The gap is 0.07 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon crosses the line in 13.55 s versus 13.68 s. The 0.13 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 187 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon finishes in 24.53 s versus 24.90 s, with a 0.36 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 Saloon is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 330d 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 8.44 seconds. The 0.11 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.