Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,04 s vs 5,29 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
3.04 s
| Measure | Model 3 Performance | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3.04 s | 5.29 s | 2.25 s · Model 3 Performance |
| 400 m standing start | 11.13 s | 13.55 s | 2.42 s · Model 3 Performance |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20.49 s | 24.54 s | 4.05 s · Model 3 Performance |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 261 km/h | 240 km/h | 21 km/h · Model 3 Performance |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3.62 kg/hp | 5.59 kg/hp | better ratio · Model 3 Performance |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Model 3 Performance | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0.82 s | 1.36 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1.37 s | 2.05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2.26 s | 3.73 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.04 s | 5.29 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4.03 s | 7.11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 6.97 s | 12.14 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 11.20 s | 19.52 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11.13 s | 13.55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20.49 s | 24.54 s |
| Top speed | 261 km/h | 240 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 510 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 769 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 844 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 130 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.04 s versus 5.29 s for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 2.25 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 162 km/h against 135 km/h for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. The gap is 1.68 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.12 s versus 13.55 s. The 2.43 s gap represents roughly 109 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 224 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 20.48 s versus 24.53 s, with a 4.05 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Performance is capped at 261 km/h, the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine at 240 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.62 kg/hp vs 5.59 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.28 seconds. The 2.25 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,04 s vs 5,29 s).
Model 3 Performance goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model 3 Performance: 510 hp, ratio 3,62 kg/hp. C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp.
Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h. C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 240 km/h.