Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214 vs Renault Megane 4 RS Trophy 300: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 400 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 5.31 s versus 5.44 s for the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300. The instant torque of 650 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the E 400 e 4MATIC leads by 0.14 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 140 km/h for the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300 crosses the line in 13.56 s versus 13.57 s. The 0.01 s gap represents roughly 0 m of track

Past 400 metres, the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 195 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300 finishes in 24.36 s versus 24.58 s, with a 0.22 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 260 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The E 400 e 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Megane 4 RS Trophy 300’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.

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 Megane 4 RS Trophy 300 at 260 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 8.31 seconds. The 0.14 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.