Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs Mercedes E 300 d W214: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the E 300 d hits 100 km/h in 5.83 s versus 6.30 s for the EQS 450. Despite lacking instant torque, 265 hp of power compensates. At this point, the E 300 d leads by 0.47 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the E 300 d is doing 130 km/h against 128 km/h for the EQS 450. The gap is 0.43 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the E 300 d crosses the line in 14.03 s versus 14.56 s. The 0.53 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the E 300 d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 183 km/h versus 177 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the E 300 d finishes in 25.49 s versus 26.37 s, with a 0.88 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the EQS 450 is capped at 210 km/h, the E 300 d 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 0.47 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.