Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Performance wins (2,53 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.
2.53 s
| Measure | Model S Performance | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2.53 s | 5.29 s | 2.76 s · Model S Performance |
| 400 m standing start | 10.32 s | 13.55 s | 3.23 s · Model S Performance |
| 1,000 m standing start | 19.02 s | 24.54 s | 5.52 s · Model S Performance |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 262 km/h | 240 km/h | 22 km/h · Model S Performance |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2.89 kg/hp | 5.59 kg/hp | better ratio · Model S Performance |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Model S Performance | C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0.71 s | 1.36 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1.18 s | 2.05 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 1.91 s | 3.73 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 2.53 s | 5.29 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 3.31 s | 7.11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 5.58 s | 12.14 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 8.76 s | 19.52 s |
| 400 m standing start | 10.32 s | 13.55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 19.02 s | 24.54 s |
| Top speed | 262 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 | 778 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 1139 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 250 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 S Performance hits 100 km/h in 2.53 s versus 5.29 s for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. At this point, the Model S Performance leads by 2.76 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model S Performance is doing 175 km/h against 135 km/h for the C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine. The gap is 2.20 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Performance crosses the line in 10.31 s versus 13.55 s. The 3.24 s gap represents roughly 142 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model S Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 244 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Performance finishes in 19.02 s versus 24.53 s, with a 5.52 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S Performance is capped at 262 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 (2.89 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 2.76 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Performance wins (2,53 s vs 5,29 s).
Model S Performance goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model S Performance: 778 hp, ratio 2,89 kg/hp. C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 381 hp, ratio 5,59 kg/hp.
Model S Performance: 262 km/h. C 400 e 4MATIC Limousine W206: 240 km/h.