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ACLAvsBBornBEV
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsCLA · Born

Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology vs Cupra Born: 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 2021 · Methodology
MercedesBEVFaster

CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology

354 hp · 515 Nm · 2,135 kg · 2025

VS
CupraBEV

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology

4.95 s

Gap2.29 sin favour of CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technologyBornGap
0–100 km/h4.95 s7.23 s2.29 s · CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
400 m standing start13.32 s15.39 s2.07 s · CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
1,000 m standing start24.37 s28.98 s4.61 s · CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h160 km/h50 km/h · CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
Power-to-weight ratio6.03 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology

Watch the race

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

MercedesBEVCLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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 350 4MATIC with EQ technologyBorn
0–30 km/h1.31 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h2.19 s3.15 s
0–80 km/h3.63 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h4.95 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h6.61 s9.79 s
0–160 km/h11.72 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h19.43 s-
400 m standing start13.32 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start24.37 s28.98 s
Top speed210 km/h160 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 350 4MATIC with EQ technology

6,03kg/hpratio better by 2,48 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power354 hpPending
Torque515 Nm
Weight2 135 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −425 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology hits 100 km/h in 4.95 s versus 7.23 s for the Born. At this point, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology leads by 2.29 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology is doing 139 km/h against 122 km/h for the Born. The gap is 1.46 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology crosses the line in 13.32 s versus 15.39 s. The 2.07 s gap represents roughly 83 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology finishes in 24.37 s versus 28.98 s, with a 4.61 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Born’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 CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology is capped at 210 km/h, the Born 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.

With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.03 kg/hp vs 8.51 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.41 seconds. The 2.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology wins (4,95 s vs 7,23 s).

CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,95 seconds (calibrated simulation).

CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology: 354 hp, ratio 6,03 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology: 210 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.