Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,45 s vs 5,30 s).
Performance comparison
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 | E 400 e 4MATIC W214 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,45 s−0,85 s | 5,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,55 s−1,02 s | 13,57 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,40 s−2,18 s | 24,58 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,30 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,89 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 | E 400 e 4MATIC W214 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,36 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,02 s | 2,06 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,30 s | 3,74 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,45 s | 5,30 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,85 s | 7,13 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,47 s | 12,19 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,19 s | 19,66 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,55 s | 13,57 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,40 s | 24,58 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 585 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 750 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 245 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.45 s versus 5.31 s for the E 400 e 4MATIC. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 0.85 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 149 km/h against 135 km/h for the E 400 e 4MATIC. The gap is 0.57 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 13.57 s. The 1.02 s gap represents roughly 47 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 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 22.40 s versus 24.58 s, with a 2.18 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S 580 e 4MATIC and the E 400 e 4MATIC are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.30 kg/hp vs 5.89 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.31 seconds. The 0.85 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,45 s vs 5,30 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. E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 381 hp, ratio 5,89 kg/hp.
S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 250 km/h. E 400 e 4MATIC W214: 250 km/h.