Tesla Model S P100D vs Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long): which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model S P100D hits 100 km/h in 2.85 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The instant torque of 967 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model S P100D leads by 5.47 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model S P100D is doing 173 km/h against 114 km/h for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The gap is 3.41 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model S P100D crosses the line in 10.63 s versus 16.03 s. The 5.40 s gap represents roughly 191 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model S P100D continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 240 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S P100D finishes in 19.59 s versus 29.55 s, with a 9.96 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S P100D is capped at 249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) at 217 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 5.47 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.