Over 0–100 km/h, M3 Competition xDrive G80 wins (3,52 s vs 3,83 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.
| S8 | M3 Competition xDrive G80 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s | 3,52 s+0,31 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s | 11,45 s+0,36 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s | 20,83 s+0,44 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,89 kg/hp | 3,43 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S8 | M3 Competition xDrive G80 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,07 s | 0,96 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,78 s | 1,59 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,88 s | 2,59 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s | 3,52 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,97 s | 4,56 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,99 s | 7,41 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,24 s | 11,48 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s | 11,45 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s | 20,83 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 571 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 800 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 220 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 510 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 650 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 750 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed M Steptronic with Drivelogic |
Off the line, the M3 Competition xDrive hits 100 km/h in 3.52 s versus 3.83 s for the S8. At this point, the M3 Competition xDrive leads by 0.31 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive is doing 161 km/h against 157 km/h for the S8. The gap is 0.28 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the M3 Competition xDrive crosses the line in 11.45 s versus 11.81 s. The 0.36 s gap represents roughly 20 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 224 km/h versus 222 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M3 Competition xDrive finishes in 20.83 s versus 21.26 s, with a 0.44 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S8 and the M3 Competition xDrive are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.89 kg/hp vs 3.43 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.62 seconds. The 0.31 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.
Over 0–100 km/h, M3 Competition xDrive G80 wins (3,52 s vs 3,83 s).
S8 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S8: 571 hp, ratio 3,89 kg/hp. M3 Competition xDrive G80: 510 hp, ratio 3,43 kg/hp.
S8: 250 km/h. M3 Competition xDrive G80: 250 km/h.