Audi S8 vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.04 s versus 3.83 s for the S8. The instant torque of 769 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 0.79 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 162 km/h against 157 km/h for the S8. The gap is 0.61 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.12 s versus 11.81 s. The 0.69 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 224 km/h versus 222 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 20.48 s versus 21.26 s, with a 0.78 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) vs 261 km/h), preventing any comeback.

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 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.

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 5.62 seconds. The 0.79 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.