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BMW i4 eDrive35 G26 vs Tesla Model 3 RWD: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2024 vs 2024 · Methodology
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2024

VS
TeslaBEV

Model 3 RWD

282 hp · 461 Nm · 1,752 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i4 eDrive35 G26

6.08 s

Gap0.08 sNot a significant gap
BTesla Model 3 RWD

6.00 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei4 eDrive35 G26Model 3 RWDGap
0–100 km/h6.08 s6.00 s0.08 s · Model 3 RWD
400 m standing start14.38 s14.23 s0.15 s · Model 3 RWD
1,000 m standing start26.26 s25.66 s0.60 s · Model 3 RWD
Top speed (electronically limited)190 km/h201 km/h11 km/h · Model 3 RWD
Power-to-weight ratio6.99 kg/hp6.21 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model 3 RWD

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWBEVi4 eDrive35 G26
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
TeslaBEVModel 3 RWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stagei4 eDrive35 G26Model 3 RWD
0–30 km/h1.69 s1.65 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.81 s2.76 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.56 s4.49 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h6.08 s6.00 s · tight gap
0–120 km/h8.04 s7.92 s · tight gap
0–160 km/h14.28 s13.46 s
0–200 km/h-22.08 s
400 m standing start14.38 s14.23 s
1,000 m standing start26.26 s25.66 s
Top speed190 km/h201 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

i4 eDrive35 G26

6,99kg/hpcompensated by −248 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 000 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio
Tesla

Model 3 RWD

6,21kg/hpratio better by 0,78 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power282 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque461 Nm
Weight1 752 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model 3 RWD hits 100 km/h in 6.00 s versus 6.08 s for the i4 eDrive35. The 0.08 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 RWD is doing 133 km/h against 131 km/h for the i4 eDrive35. The gap is 0.07 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 RWD crosses the line in 14.23 s versus 14.38 s. The 0.15 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 RWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 179 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 RWD finishes in 25.66 s versus 26.26 s, with a 0.60 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (190 vs 201 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i4 eDrive35 is capped at 190 km/h, the Model 3 RWD at 201 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 (6.99 kg/hp vs 6.21 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.27 seconds. The 0.08 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of i4 eDrive35 G26
Xpeng P7iXpeng P7
Instead of Model 3 RWD
Xpeng P7iXpeng P7Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, i4 eDrive35 G26 and Model 3 RWD are neck and neck (6,00 s vs 6,08 s, no significant gap).

i4 eDrive35 G26 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,08 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i4 eDrive35 G26: 286 hp, ratio 6,99 kg/hp. Model 3 RWD: 282 hp, ratio 6,21 kg/hp.

i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h. Model 3 RWD: 201 km/h.