Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 7,24 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.
| Model 3 Long Range AWD | i3 (120 Ah) I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,44 s−2,80 s | 7,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s−2,60 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,49 s−6,31 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 233 km/h+83 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,34 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 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 | Model 3 Long Range AWD | i3 (120 Ah) I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,18 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,97 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,26 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,44 s | 7,24 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,93 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,48 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,45 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 12,80 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,49 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed | 233 km/h | 150 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| 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 |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.44 s versus 7.24 s for the Bmw i3 (120 Ah). At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 2.80 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 143 km/h against 122 km/h for the Bmw i3 (120 Ah). The gap is 1.83 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 15.40 s. The 2.60 s gap represents roughly 104 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD finishes in 23.49 s versus 29.80 s, with a 6.31 s lead.
The Model 3 Long Range AWD features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw i3 (120 Ah)’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 Model 3 Long Range AWD is capped at 233 km/h, the Bmw i3 (120 Ah) at 150 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 electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.34 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 2.80 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, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,44 s vs 7,24 s).
Model 3 Long Range AWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,44 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model 3 Long Range AWD: 346 hp, ratio 5,34 kg/hp. i3 (120 Ah) I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
Model 3 Long Range AWD: 233 km/h. i3 (120 Ah) I01: 150 km/h.