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ASPHEVvsB520dDiesel
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  • SpecsS · 520d

Mercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223 vs BMW 520d G30: 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 · 2,495 kg · 2026

VS
BMWDiesel

520d G30

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,650 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes S 580 e 4MATIC W223

4.42 s

Gap2.79 sin favour of S 580 e 4MATIC
BBMW 520d G30

7.21 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureS 580 e 4MATIC W223520d G30Gap
0–100 km/h4.42 s7.21 s2.79 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
400 m standing start12.52 s15.25 s2.73 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
1,000 m standing start22.35 s28.10 s5.75 s · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h235 km/h15 km/h · S 580 e 4MATIC W223
Power-to-weight ratio4.26 kg/hp8.68 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
BMWDiesel520d G30
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 W223520d G30
0–30 km/h1.35 s · tight gap1.39 s
0–50 km/h2.00 s2.46 s
0–80 km/h3.28 s4.91 s
0–100 km/h4.42 s7.21 s
0–120 km/h5.82 s10.18 s
0–160 km/h9.41 s18.89 s
0–200 km/h14.10 s35.32 s
400 m standing start12.52 s15.25 s
1,000 m standing start22.35 s28.10 s
Top speed limited250 km/h235 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

4,26kg/hpratio better by 4,42 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power585 hpPending
Torque750 Nm
Weight2 495 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

520d G30

8,68kg/hpcompensated by −845 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 650 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the S 580 e 4MATIC hits 100 km/h in 4.43 s versus 7.21 s for the 520d. The instant torque of 750 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S 580 e 4MATIC leads by 2.79 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC is doing 149 km/h against 118 km/h for the 520d. The gap is 1.56 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 580 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 12.51 s versus 15.24 s. The 2.73 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 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 e 4MATIC finishes in 22.34 s versus 28.10 s, with a 5.75 s lead.

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 520d at 235 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 11.95 seconds. The 2.79 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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AudiVSBMW

A6 Avant TDI S tronic 150 kW vs 520d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, S 580 e 4MATIC W223 wins (4,42 s vs 7,21 s).

S 580 e 4MATIC W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,42 seconds (calibrated simulation).

S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 585 hp, ratio 4,26 kg/hp. 520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,68 kg/hp.

S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 250 km/h. 520d G30: 235 km/h.