Over 0–100 km/h, C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 wins (5,29 s vs 5,93 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 | 530e G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,29 s−0,64 s | 5,93 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,55 s−0,64 s | 14,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,54 s−1,20 s | 25,74 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+5 km/h | 235 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,59 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,28 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 | 530e G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,62 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,05 s | 2,70 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,73 s | 4,42 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,29 s | 5,93 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,11 s | 7,88 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,14 s | 13,51 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,52 s | 23,74 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,55 s | 14,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,54 s | 25,74 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 235 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 130 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 292 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 835 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon hits 100 km/h in 5.29 s versus 5.93 s for the Bmw 530e. At this point, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon leads by 0.64 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon is doing 135 km/h against 133 km/h for the Bmw 530e. The gap is 0.51 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 14.18 s. The 0.63 s gap represents roughly 29 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 182 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon finishes in 24.53 s versus 25.73 s, with a 1.20 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 235 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 530e’s RWD. 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 Bmw 530e at 235 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.59 kg/hp vs 6.28 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.03 seconds. The 0.64 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 wins (5,29 s vs 5,93 s).
C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,29 seconds (calibrated simulation).
C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp. 530e G30: 292 hp, ratio 6,28 kg/hp.
C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206: 240 km/h. 530e G30: 235 km/h.