Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,36 s vs 3,92 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
3.92 s
3.36 s
| Measure | i4 M50 xDrive G26 | Model 3 Performance | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3.92 s | 3.36 s | 0.56 s · Model 3 Performance |
| 400 m standing start | 12.01 s | 11.58 s | 0.43 s · Model 3 Performance |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21.97 s | 21.36 s | 0.61 s · Model 3 Performance |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 261 km/h | 36 km/h · Model 3 Performance |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.07 kg/hp | 4.08 kg/hp | better ratio · i4 M50 xDrive G26 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | i4 M50 xDrive G26 | Model 3 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.13 s | 0.89 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1.89 s | 1.49 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.04 s | 2.47 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.92 s | 3.36 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5.04 s | 4.49 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8.35 s | 7.86 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13.16 s | 12.81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12.01 s | 11.58 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21.97 s | 21.36 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 261 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 544 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 795 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 215 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Automatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 450 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 713 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 836 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.36 s versus 3.92 s for the i4 M50 xDrive. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 0.56 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 156 km/h against 155 km/h for the i4 M50 xDrive. The gap is 0.43 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.57 s versus 12.01 s. The 0.43 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 216 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 21.35 s versus 21.97 s, with a 0.62 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the i4 M50 xDrive is capped at 225 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.
With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.07 kg/hp vs 4.08 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.72 seconds. The 0.56 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 Performance wins (3,36 s vs 3,92 s).
i4 M50 xDrive G26 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,92 seconds (calibrated simulation).
i4 M50 xDrive G26: 544 hp, ratio 4,07 kg/hp. Model 3 Performance: 450 hp, ratio 4,08 kg/hp.
i4 M50 xDrive G26: 225 km/h. Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h.