Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 5.72 s for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 510 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio leads by 1.89 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is doing 156 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. The gap is 1.43 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio crosses the line in 11.86 s versus 14.16 s. The 2.30 s gap represents roughly 97 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 216 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio finishes in 21.59 s versus 26.28 s, with a 4.69 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is capped at 283 km/h, the Model 3 Long Range RWD 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 9.03 seconds. The 1.89 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.