Over 0–100 km/h, E 400 e 4MATIC W214 and 330d G20 are neck and neck (5,30 s vs 5,40 s, no significant gap).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| E 400 e 4MATIC W214 | 330d G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,30 s−0,10 s | 5,40 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,57 s−0,11 s | 13,68 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,58 s−0,32 s | 24,90 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,00 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | E 400 e 4MATIC W214 | 330d G20 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,32 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,06 s | 2,17 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,74 s | 3,87 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,30 s | 5,40 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,13 s | 7,32 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,19 s | 12,63 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,66 s | 20,83 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,57 s | 13,68 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,58 s | 24,90 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 245 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 265 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 580 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 590 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 5.40 s for the Bmw 330d. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.10 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 134 km/h for the Bmw 330d. The gap is 0.07 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the E 400 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 13.57 s versus 13.68 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 187 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC finishes in 24.58 s versus 24.90 s, with a 0.32 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the E 400 e 4MATIC and the Bmw 330d are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
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 8.44 seconds. The 0.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, E 400 e 4MATIC W214 and 330d G20 are neck and neck (5,30 s vs 5,40 s, no significant gap).
E 400 e 4MATIC W214 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,30 seconds (calibrated simulation).
E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 381 hp, ratio 5,89 kg/hp. 330d G20: 265 hp, ratio 6,00 kg/hp.
E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 250 km/h. 330d G20: 250 km/h.