Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long) vs Cupra Born: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Born hits 100 km/h in 7.23 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The instant torque of 310 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) is 1 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Born is doing 122 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The gap is 0.20 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Born crosses the line in 15.39 s versus 16.03 s. The 0.63 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Born maxes out at 160 km/h while the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.93 s from 0.63 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the Born finishes in 28.98 s versus 29.55 s, with just 0.57 s to spare. The V 300 d 4MATIC (long) fails to fully close the launch gap.

The V 300 d 4MATIC (long) features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Born’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 V 300 d 4MATIC (long) is capped at 217 km/h, the Born at 160 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 1.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.