Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 4,83 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
4.44 s
| Measure | A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic | Model 3 Long Range AWD | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4.83 s | 4.44 s | 0.40 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD |
| 400 m standing start | 13.11 s | 12.80 s | 0.31 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.78 s | 23.49 s | 0.29 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 233 km/h | 17 km/h · A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.06 kg/hp | 5.34 kg/hp | better ratio · A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic | Model 3 Long Range AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.21 s | 1.18 s · tight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.02 s | 1.97 s · tight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.48 s | 3.26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.83 s | 4.44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6.51 s | 5.93 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11.06 s | 10.48 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17.70 s | 17.45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.11 s | 12.80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.78 s | 23.49 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 233 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 462 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 340 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 346 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 605 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 847 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.44 s versus 4.84 s for the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 0.40 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 143 km/h against 140 km/h for the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic. The gap is 0.25 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range AWD crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 13.11 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 196 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD finishes in 23.49 s versus 23.78 s, with a 0.29 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic never recovers its launch deficit.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Long Range AWD at 233 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.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.06 kg/hp vs 5.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.50 seconds. The 0.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 4,83 s).
A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic: 462 hp, ratio 5,06 kg/hp. Model 3 Long Range AWD: 346 hp, ratio 5,34 kg/hp.
A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro tiptronic: 250 km/h. Model 3 Long Range AWD: 233 km/h.