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ASPHEVvsB320dDiesel
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  • SpecsS · 320d

Mercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223 vs BMW 320d G20: 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 2019 · Methodology
MercedesPHEVFaster

S 580 e 4MATIC W223

585 hp · 750 Nm · 2,515 kg · 2026

VS
BMWDiesel

320d G20

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,450 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223

4.45 s

Gap2.58 sin favour of S 580 e 4MATIC
BBMW 320d G20

7.03 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureS 580 e 4MATIC W223320d G20Gap
0–100 km/h4.45 s7.03 s2.58 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
400 m standing start12.55 s15.13 s2.58 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
1,000 m standing start22.40 s27.24 s4.84 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h240 km/h10 km/h · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
Power-to-weight ratio4.30 kg/hp7.63 kg/hpbetter ratio · S 580 e 4MATIC W223

Watch the race

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

MercedesPHEVS 580 e 4MATIC W223
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel320d G20
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 580 e 4MATIC W223320d G20
0–30 km/h1.36 s1.81 s
0–50 km/h2.02 s3.00 s
0–80 km/h3.30 s5.11 s
0–100 km/h4.45 s7.03 s
0–120 km/h5.85 s9.49 s
0–160 km/h9.47 s16.32 s
0–200 km/h14.19 s28.13 s
400 m standing start12.55 s15.13 s
1,000 m standing start22.40 s27.24 s
Top speed limited250 km/h240 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 580 e 4MATIC W223

4,30kg/hpratio better by 3,33 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power585 hp6 cyl
Torque750 Nm
Weight2 515 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

320d G20

7,63kg/hpcompensated by −1 065 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 450 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.45 s versus 7.03 s for the 320d. The instant torque of 750 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 2.58 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 149 km/h against 123 km/h for the 320d. The gap is 1.70 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 580 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 12.54 s versus 15.13 s. The 2.58 s gap represents roughly 106 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 212 km/h versus 173 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 22.40 s versus 27.23 s, with a 4.84 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

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 320d 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.

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 10.96 seconds. The 2.58 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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S 580 e 4MATIC vs 760i xDrive

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Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid vs S 580 e 4MATIC

VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 320d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,45 s vs 7,03 s).

S 580 e 4MATIC W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).

S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 585 hp, ratio 4,30 kg/hp. 320d G20: 190 hp, ratio 7,63 kg/hp.

S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 250 km/h. 320d G20: 240 km/h.