Mercedes E 300 d W214 vs DS DS9 E-Tense 250: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 300 d hits 100 km/h in 5.83 s versus 8.36 s for the DS9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 265 hp of power compensates. At this point, the E 300 d leads by 2.53 s and sits roughly 36 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 300 d is doing 130 km/h against 121 km/h for the DS9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.86 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the E 300 d crosses the line in 14.03 s versus 16.22 s. The 2.18 s gap represents roughly 89 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the E 300 d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 183 km/h versus 170 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 300 d finishes in 25.49 s versus 28.57 s, with a 3.07 s lead.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h, the E 300 d never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 12.32 seconds. The 2.53 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.