Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 5,29 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 | Model 3 Long Range AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,29 s | 4,44 s+0,85 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,55 s | 12,80 s+0,75 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,54 s | 23,49 s+1,05 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+7 km/h | 233 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,59 kg/hp | 5,34 kg/hpbetter ratio |
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 | Model 3 Long Range AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,18 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,05 s | 1,97 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,73 s | 3,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,29 s | 4,44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,11 s | 5,93 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,14 s | 10,48 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,52 s | 17,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,55 s | 12,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,54 s | 23,49 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 233 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 | 346 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 605 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 847 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.44 s versus 5.29 s for the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 0.85 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 143 km/h against 135 km/h for the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon. The gap is 0.54 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range AWD crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 13.55 s. The 0.75 s gap represents roughly 35 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD finishes in 23.49 s versus 24.53 s, with a 1.04 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 233 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 Model 3 Long Range AWD at 233 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 5.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.28 seconds. The 0.85 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 5,29 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. Model 3 Long Range AWD: 346 hp, ratio 5,34 kg/hp.
C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206: 240 km/h. Model 3 Long Range AWD: 233 km/h.