Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214 vs Audi A4 40 TFSI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 7.28 s for the A4 40 TFSI. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the E 400 e 4MATIC leads by 1.98 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 119 km/h for the A4 40 TFSI. The gap is 1.15 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the E 400 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 13.57 s versus 15.36 s. The 1.79 s gap represents roughly 71 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 165 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC finishes in 24.58 s versus 28.08 s, with a 3.50 s lead.

The E 400 e 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TFSI’s FWD. 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.

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 11.78 seconds. The 1.98 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.