Xpeng P7 vs Mercedes CLA 200 Limousine: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the P7 hits 100 km/h in 4.22 s versus 8.09 s for the CLA 200 Limousine. The instant torque of 655 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the P7 leads by 3.88 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the P7 is doing 147 km/h against 116 km/h for the CLA 200 Limousine. The gap is 2.32 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the P7 crosses the line in 12.54 s versus 15.93 s. The 3.38 s gap represents roughly 129 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the P7 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 164 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the P7 finishes in 25.24 s versus 28.73 s, with a 3.49 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (232 km/h), the CLA 200 Limousine never recovers its launch deficit.

The P7 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the CLA 200 Limousine’s FWD. 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 P7 is capped at 170 km/h, the CLA 200 Limousine at 232 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 12.89 seconds. The 3.88 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.