Mercedes CLA 220 Saloon vs BYD Atto 3 Extended Range: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the CLA 220 Saloon hits 100 km/h in 7.31 s versus 7.41 s for the Atto 3 Extended Range. Despite lacking instant torque, 211 hp of power compensates. At this point, the CLA 220 Saloon leads by 0.10 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon is doing 122 km/h against 121 km/h for the Atto 3 Extended Range. The gap is 0.17 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the CLA 220 Saloon crosses the line in 15.32 s versus 15.57 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon finishes in 27.53 s versus 29.19 s, with a 1.66 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the CLA 220 Saloon is capped at 240 km/h, the Atto 3 Extended Range at 160 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 11.71 seconds. The 0.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.