Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214 vs Alpine A110 GT 300: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the A110 GT 300 hits 100 km/h in 3.92 s versus 5.31 s for the E 400 e 4MATIC. Despite lacking instant torque, 305 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A110 GT 300 leads by 1.39 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the A110 GT 300 is doing 157 km/h against 135 km/h for the E 400 e 4MATIC. The gap is 0.97 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A110 GT 300 crosses the line in 11.96 s versus 13.57 s. The 1.60 s gap represents roughly 73 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the A110 GT 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A110 GT 300 finishes in 21.76 s versus 24.58 s, with a 2.82 s lead.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the E 400 e 4MATIC 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 8.31 seconds. The 1.39 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.