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  • SpecsEQS · A3

Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs Audi A3 Sedan: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

limousine · 2023 vs 2026 · Methodology
MercedesBEVFaster

EQS 450 V297

333 hp · 568 Nm · 2,480 kg · 2023

VS
AudiDiesel

A3 Sedan

116 hp · 300 Nm · 1,355 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes EQS 450 V297

6.30 s

Gap3.57 sin favour of EQS 450
BAudi A3 Sedan

9.87 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureEQS 450 V297A3 SedanGap
0–100 km/h6.30 s9.87 s3.57 s · EQS 450 V297
400 m standing start14.56 s17.21 s2.65 s · EQS 450 V297
1,000 m standing start26.38 s31.24 s4.86 s · EQS 450 V297
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h215 km/h5 km/h · A3 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio7.45 kg/hp11.68 kg/hpbetter ratio · EQS 450 V297

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

MercedesBEVEQS 450 V297
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiDieselA3 Sedan
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageEQS 450 V297A3 Sedan
0–30 km/h1.62 s2.22 s
0–50 km/h2.71 s3.75 s
0–80 km/h4.57 s6.86 s
0–100 km/h6.30 s9.87 s
0–120 km/h8.51 s13.82 s
0–160 km/h15.04 s26.28 s
0–200 km/h25.02 s58.04 s
400 m standing start14.56 s17.21 s
1,000 m standing start26.38 s31.24 s
Top speed210 km/h215 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Mercedes

EQS 450 V297

7,45kg/hpratio better by 4,23 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power333 hpPending
Torque568 Nm
Weight2 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
Audi

A3 Sedan

11,68kg/hpcompensated by −1 125 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hpPending
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 355 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the EQS 450 hits 100 km/h in 6.30 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 568 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the EQS 450 leads by 3.57 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the EQS 450 is doing 128 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 1.73 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the EQS 450 crosses the line in 14.56 s versus 17.21 s. The 2.65 s gap represents roughly 95 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the EQS 450 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 177 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the EQS 450 finishes in 26.37 s versus 31.24 s, with a 4.87 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (210 vs 215 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the EQS 450 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 16.25 seconds. The 3.57 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, EQS 450 V297 wins (6,30 s vs 9,87 s).

EQS 450 V297 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,30 seconds (calibrated simulation).

EQS 450 V297: 333 hp, ratio 7,45 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 116 hp, ratio 11,68 kg/hp.

EQS 450 V297: 210 km/h. A3 Sedan: 215 km/h.