Mercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223 vs Audi A3 Sedan: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.87 s versus 9.87 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 750 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 5.00 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 144 km/h against 108 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 2.72 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 580 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 12.95 s versus 17.21 s. The 4.25 s gap represents roughly 148 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 23.10 s versus 31.24 s, with a 8.14 s lead.

The S 580 e 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sedan’s FWD. 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.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the S 580 e 4MATIC never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 16.25 seconds. The 5.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.