Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio vs Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Giulia Quadrifoglio hits 100 km/h in 3.94 s versus 5.81 s for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Despite lacking instant torque, 510 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Giulia Quadrifoglio leads by 1.87 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is doing 164 km/h against 129 km/h for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. The gap is 1.38 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Giulia Quadrifoglio crosses the line in 11.74 s versus 14.26 s. The 2.53 s gap represents roughly 105 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Giulia Quadrifoglio continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 228 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Giulia Quadrifoglio finishes in 20.93 s versus 26.61 s, with a 5.68 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Giulia Quadrifoglio is capped at 307 km/h, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus at 225 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 9.43 seconds. The 1.87 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.