Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs Mercedes E 220 d W214: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the EQS 450 hits 100 km/h in 6.30 s versus 7.59 s for the E 220 d. The instant torque of 568 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the EQS 450 leads by 1.29 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the EQS 450 is doing 128 km/h against 118 km/h for the E 220 d. The gap is 0.57 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the EQS 450 crosses the line in 14.56 s versus 15.51 s. The 0.95 s gap represents roughly 38 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the EQS 450 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 177 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the EQS 450 finishes in 26.37 s versus 28.12 s, with a 1.75 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (236 km/h), the E 220 d 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 E 220 d at 236 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 12.11 seconds. The 1.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.