Tesla Model S Plaid vs Mercedes S 450 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model S Plaid hits 100 km/h in 2.10 s versus 4.86 s for the S 450 4MATIC Saloon, long version. The instant torque of 1,424 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model S Plaid leads by 2.76 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model S Plaid is doing 193 km/h against 138 km/h for the S 450 4MATIC Saloon, long version. The gap is 2.40 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Plaid crosses the line in 9.41 s versus 13.08 s. The 3.67 s gap represents roughly 164 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model S Plaid continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 270 km/h versus 196 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Plaid finishes in 17.16 s versus 23.76 s, with a 6.60 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S Plaid is capped at 322 (i.e. 200 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the S 450 4MATIC Saloon, long version at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 7.61 seconds. The 2.76 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.