Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC vs BMW 320e G20: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 320e hits 100 km/h in 7.46 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 320e leads by 0.86 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 320e is doing 115 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC. The gap is 0.47 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 320e crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.59 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the 320e continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 158 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 320e finishes in 28.77 s versus 29.55 s, with a 0.79 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (210 vs 215 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the V 300 d 4MATIC is capped at 217 km/h, the 320e at 220 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 14.08 seconds. The 0.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.