Mercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223 vs BMW 520i G60: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.45 s versus 7.56 s for the 520i. The instant torque of 750 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 3.11 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 149 km/h against 119 km/h for the 520i. The gap is 1.95 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 15.58 s. The 3.04 s gap represents roughly 119 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 212 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 22.40 s versus 28.25 s, with a 5.86 s lead.

The S 580 e 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 520i’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 580 e 4MATIC is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 520i at 230 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 12.02 seconds. The 3.11 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.