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  • SpecsEQS · 230i

Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs BMW 230i F22: 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 2018 · Methodology
MercedesBEV

EQS 450 V297

333 hp · 568 Nm · 2,480 kg · 2023

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

230i F22

252 hp · 350 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes EQS 450 V297

6.30 s

Gap0.79 sin favour of 230i
BBMW 230i F22

5.51 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureEQS 450 V297230i F22Gap
0–100 km/h6.30 s5.51 s0.79 s · 230i F22
400 m standing start14.56 s13.88 s0.68 s · 230i F22
1,000 m standing start26.38 s25.28 s1.10 s · 230i F22
Top speed (electronically limited)210 km/h250 km/h40 km/h · 230i F22
Power-to-weight ratio7.45 kg/hp5.67 kg/hpbetter ratio · 230i F22

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
BMWPetrol230i F22
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 V297230i F22
0–30 km/h1.62 s1.42 s
0–50 km/h2.71 s2.29 s
0–80 km/h4.57 s3.99 s
0–100 km/h6.30 s5.51 s
0–120 km/h8.51 s7.53 s
0–160 km/h15.04 s13.14 s
0–200 km/h25.02 s22.07 s
400 m standing start14.56 s13.88 s
1,000 m standing start26.38 s25.28 s
Top speed limited210 km/h250 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/hpcompensated by −1 050 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power333 hpPending
Torque568 Nm
Weight2 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

230i F22

5,67kg/hpratio better by 1,77 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 230i hits 100 km/h in 5.51 s versus 6.30 s for the EQS 450. Despite lacking instant torque, 252 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 230i leads by 0.79 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 230i is doing 133 km/h against 128 km/h for the EQS 450. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 230i crosses the line in 13.87 s versus 14.56 s. The 0.69 s gap represents roughly 30 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 230i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 184 km/h versus 177 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 230i finishes in 25.28 s versus 26.37 s, with a 1.09 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the EQS 450 is capped at 210 km/h, the 230i at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 9.86 seconds. The 0.79 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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230i vs A3 Sedan

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 230i F22 wins (5,51 s vs 6,30 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. 230i F22: 252 hp, ratio 5,67 kg/hp.

EQS 450 V297: 210 km/h. 230i F22: 250 km/h.