Mercedes S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion W223 vs BMW 330e G20: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion hits 100 km/h in 5.47 s versus 5.91 s for the 330e. Despite lacking instant torque, 313 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion leads by 0.44 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion is doing 131 km/h against 134 km/h for the 330e. The gap is 0.51 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion crosses the line in 13.68 s versus 14.09 s. The 0.41 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The 330e maxes out at 230 km/h while the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.33 s.

At 1,000 metres, the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion finishes in 24.99 s versus 25.24 s, with just 0.25 s to spare. The 330e fails to fully close the launch gap.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S 350 d 4MATIC Limousine Langversion is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 330e 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 8.90 seconds. The 0.44 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.