Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,87 s vs 5,29 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| S 580 e 4MATIC W223 | C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,87 s−0,42 s | 5,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,96 s−0,59 s | 13,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,11 s−1,43 s | 24,54 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+10 km/h | 240 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,84 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,59 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S 580 e 4MATIC W223 | C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,38 s | 1,36 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,17 s | 2,05 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,58 s | 3,73 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,87 s | 5,29 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,33 s | 7,11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,27 s | 12,14 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 15,71 s | 19,52 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,96 s | 13,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,11 s | 24,54 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 240 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 510 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 750 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 470 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 130 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.87 s versus 5.29 s for the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 0.42 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 144 km/h against 135 km/h for the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon. The gap is 0.28 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 13.55 s. The 0.60 s gap represents roughly 28 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 23.10 s versus 24.53 s, with a 1.43 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S 580 e 4MATIC is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon at 240 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.84 kg/hp vs 5.59 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.28 seconds. The 0.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,87 s vs 5,29 s).
S 580 e 4MATIC W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,87 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 510 hp, ratio 4,84 kg/hp. C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp.
S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 250 km/h. C 400 e 4MATIC Saloon W206: 240 km/h.