Audi S8 vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S8 hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 5.72 s for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 571 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S8 leads by 1.89 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S8 is doing 157 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. The gap is 1.44 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S8 crosses the line in 11.81 s versus 14.16 s. The 2.35 s gap represents roughly 99 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the S8 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 222 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S8 finishes in 21.26 s versus 26.28 s, with a 5.02 s lead.

The S8 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model 3 Long Range RWD’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S8 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) 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.