Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214 vs Ford Focus ST 280: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the E 400 e 4MATIC leads by 0.38 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.37 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 13.79 s. The 0.23 s gap represents roughly 11 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The E 400 e 4MATIC maxes out at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h while the Focus ST 280 keeps accelerating towards 264 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.13 s from 0.23 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC finishes in 24.58 s versus 24.63 s, with just 0.06 s to spare. The Focus ST 280 fails to fully close the launch gap.

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 0.38 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.