Mercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223 vs Alpine A110 S 292: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the A110 S 292 hits 100 km/h in 3.93 s versus 4.45 s for the S 580 e 4MATIC. Despite lacking instant torque, 296 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A110 S 292 leads by 0.52 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the A110 S 292 is doing 154 km/h against 149 km/h for the S 580 e 4MATIC. The gap is 0.37 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A110 S 292 crosses the line in 12.08 s versus 12.54 s. The 0.46 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The S 580 e 4MATIC maxes out at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h while the A110 S 292 keeps accelerating towards 264 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.47 s.

At 1,000 metres, the A110 S 292 finishes in 22.15 s versus 22.40 s, with just 0.24 s to spare. The S 580 e 4MATIC fails to fully close the launch gap.

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 6.56 seconds. The 0.52 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.