Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214 vs BMW 123 xDrive F70: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 6.36 s for the Bmw 123 xDrive. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the E 400 e 4MATIC leads by 1.06 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 125 km/h for the Bmw 123 xDrive. The gap is 0.59 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 14.55 s. The 0.98 s gap represents roughly 42 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 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC finishes in 24.58 s versus 26.62 s, with a 2.04 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 246 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the E 400 e 4MATIC is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 123 xDrive at 246 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 10.11 seconds. The 1.06 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.