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ACLAHybridvsB116dDiesel
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsCLA · 116d

Mercedes CLA 220 Saloon vs BMW 116d F40: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2025 vs 2020 · Methodology
MercedesHybridFaster

CLA 220 Saloon

211 hp · 380 Nm · 1,705 kg · 2025

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes CLA 220 Saloon

7.31 s

Gap3.07 sin favour of CLA 220 Saloon
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCLA 220 Saloon116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h7.31 s10.38 s3.07 s · CLA 220 Saloon
400 m standing start15.32 s17.62 s2.30 s · CLA 220 Saloon
1,000 m standing start27.54 s31.82 s4.28 s · CLA 220 Saloon
Top speed (electronically limited)240 km/h200 km/h40 km/h · CLA 220 Saloon
Power-to-weight ratio8.08 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · CLA 220 Saloon

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

MercedesHybridCLA 220 Saloon
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel116d F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageCLA 220 Saloon116d F40
0–30 km/h1.78 s2.52 s
0–50 km/h3.00 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h5.21 s7.32 s
0–100 km/h7.31 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h9.81 s14.43 s
0–160 km/h16.96 s27.75 s
0–200 km/h28.48 s75.90 s
400 m standing start15.32 s17.62 s
1,000 m standing start27.54 s31.82 s
Top speed240 km/h200 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Mercedes

CLA 220 Saloon

8,08kg/hpratio better by 3,77 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power211 hpPending
Torque380 Nm
Weight1 705 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxUnknown
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hpcompensated by −330 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hp3 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the CLA 220 Saloon hits 100 km/h in 7.31 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. At this point, the CLA 220 Saloon leads by 3.07 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon is doing 122 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 1.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the CLA 220 Saloon crosses the line in 15.32 s versus 17.61 s. The 2.29 s gap represents roughly 82 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon finishes in 27.53 s versus 31.81 s, with a 4.28 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the CLA 220 Saloon is capped at 240 km/h, the 116d at 200 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 combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (8.08 kg/hp vs 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.96 seconds. The 3.07 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

MercedesVSAudi

CLA 220 Saloon vs A3 allstreet

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

MercedesVSAudi

CLA 220 Saloon vs A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, CLA 220 Saloon wins (7,31 s vs 10,38 s).

CLA 220 Saloon goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,31 seconds (calibrated simulation).

CLA 220 Saloon: 211 hp, ratio 8,08 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

CLA 220 Saloon: 240 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.