Sur 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance gagne (3,36 s vs 3,73 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| RS 5 Sedan | Model 3 Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,73 s | 3,36 s+0,37 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,78 s | 11,58 s+0,20 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,38 s | 21,36 s+0,02 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 261 km/h−11 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,69 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,08 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | RS 5 Sedan | Model 3 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,01 s | 0,89 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,68 s | 1,49 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,74 s | 2,47 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,73 s | 3,36 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,89 s | 4,49 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,03 s | 7,86 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,49 s | 12,81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,78 s | 11,58 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,38 s | 21,36 stight gap |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 261 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 639 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 825 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 450 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 713 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 836 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.36 s versus 3.73 s for the RS 5 Sedan. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 0.37 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 156 km/h against 156 km/h for the RS 5 Sedan. The gap is 0.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.57 s versus 11.77 s. The 0.20 s gap represents roughly 11 m of track — two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The RS 5 Sedan maxes out at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h while the Model 3 Performance keeps accelerating towards 261 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.14 s.
At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 21.35 s versus 21.38 s, with just 0.02 s to spare. The RS 5 Sedan fails to fully close the launch gap.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the RS 5 Sedan is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Performance at 261 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 (3.69 kg/hp vs 4.08 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.57 seconds. The 0.37 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Sur 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance gagne (3,36 s vs 3,73 s).
RS 5 Sedan passe de 0 à 100 km/h en 3,73 secondes (simulation calibrée).
RS 5 Sedan : 639 hp, ratio 3,69 kg/hp. Model 3 Performance : 450 hp, ratio 4,08 kg/hp.
RS 5 Sedan : 250 km/h. Model 3 Performance : 261 km/h.