Mercedes CLA 220 Saloon vs Xpeng MONA M03: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the CLA 220 Saloon hits 100 km/h in 7.31 s versus 7.45 s for the MONA M03. Despite lacking instant torque, 211 hp of power compensates. At this point, the CLA 220 Saloon leads by 0.14 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the CLA 220 Saloon is doing 122 km/h against 126 km/h for the MONA M03. The gap is 0.33 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 15.48 s. The 0.16 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The MONA M03 maxes out at 200 km/h while the CLA 220 Saloon keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.08 s.

Around 872 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the MONA M03 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 40 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the MONA M03 finishes in 27.51 s versus 27.53 s. The 0.03 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the CLA 220 Saloon is capped at 240 km/h, the MONA M03 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.

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 11.41 seconds. The 0.14 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.