Performance Review: Mercedes E Class 400 W124 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes E Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes E Class 400 W124 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Mercedes E Class has a 4196cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The E Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the E Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1620 kgs (3571 lbs) this makes the Mercedes E Class 400 W124 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes E Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4196cc 32V V8 engine produces 275 bhp (205 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 3900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes E Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic Sportback (194.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes E Class.

The Mercedes E Class has a Power to weight ratio of 169.7 bhp per ton and 182.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 E Class competing with the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic Sportback (194.7 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R (194.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes E Class generating around 182.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 (207.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (206.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Mercedes E Class 400 W124 as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Mercedes E Class 400 W124 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the E Class and the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes E Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.92 secs @ 91.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (14.85 secs), the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (14.86 secs), and the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (14.86 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Mercedes E Class 400 W124 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 E Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1993 E Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison