Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs BMW 120d xDrive F40: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the EQS 450 hits 100 km/h in 6.30 s versus 7.13 s for the 120d xDrive. The instant torque of 568 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the EQS 450 leads by 0.83 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the EQS 450 is doing 128 km/h against 119 km/h for the 120d xDrive. The gap is 0.29 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the EQS 450 crosses the line in 14.56 s versus 15.21 s. The 0.65 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the EQS 450 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 177 km/h versus 164 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the EQS 450 finishes in 26.37 s versus 27.99 s, with a 1.62 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (228 km/h), the 120d xDrive never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the EQS 450 is capped at 210 km/h, the 120d xDrive at 230 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 11.69 seconds. The 0.83 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.