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  • SpecsS · Born

Mercedes S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 vs Cupra Born: 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 · 2026 vs 2021 · Methodology
MercedesHybridFaster

S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223

313 hp · 650 Nm · 2,250 kg · 2026

VS
CupraBEV

Born

201 hp · 310 Nm · 1,710 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223

5.47 s

Gap1.76 sin favour of S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version
BCupra Born

7.23 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureS 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223BornGap
0–100 km/h5.47 s7.23 s1.76 s · S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223
400 m standing start13.69 s15.39 s1.70 s · S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223
1,000 m standing start24.99 s28.98 s3.99 s · S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223
Power-to-weight ratio7.19 kg/hp8.51 kg/hpbetter ratio · S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

MercedesHybridS 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
CupraBEVBorn
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.
StageS 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223Born
0–30 km/h1.04 s1.88 s
0–50 km/h1.91 s3.15 s
0–80 km/h3.77 s5.26 s
0–100 km/h5.47 s7.23 s
0–120 km/h7.46 s9.79 s
0–160 km/h13.10 s18.15 s
0–200 km/h21.19 s-
400 m standing start13.69 s15.39 s
1,000 m standing start24.99 s28.98 s
Top speed limited250 km/h160 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

S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223

7,19kg/hpratio better by 1,32 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power313 hpPending
Torque650 Nm
Weight2 250 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
Cupra

Born

8,51kg/hpcompensated by −540 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque310 Nm
Weight1 710 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version hits 100 km/h in 5.47 s versus 7.23 s for the Born. Despite lacking instant torque, 313 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version leads by 1.76 s and sits roughly 26 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version is doing 131 km/h against 122 km/h for the Born. The gap is 1.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version crosses the line in 13.68 s versus 15.39 s. The 1.71 s gap represents roughly 69 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version finishes in 24.99 s versus 28.98 s, with a 3.99 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Born’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Born at 160 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 11.41 seconds. The 1.76 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 wins (5,47 s vs 7,23 s).

S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,47 seconds (calibrated simulation).

S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 313 hp, ratio 7,19 kg/hp. Born: 201 hp, ratio 8,51 kg/hp.

S 350 d 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 250 km/h. Born: 160 km/h.