Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,04 s vs 3,92 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.
| i4 M50 xDrive G26 | Model 3 Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,92 s | 3,04 s+0,88 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,01 s | 11,13 s+0,88 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,97 s | 20,49 s+1,48 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 225 km/h | 261 km/h−36 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,07 kg/hp | 3,62 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | i4 M50 xDrive G26 | Model 3 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,13 s | 0,82 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,89 s | 1,37 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,04 s | 2,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,92 s | 3,04 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,04 s | 4,03 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,35 s | 6,97 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13,16 s | 11,20 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,01 s | 11,13 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,97 s | 20,49 s |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 261 km/h |
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 | 510 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 769 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 844 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.04 s versus 3.92 s for the Bmw i4 M50 xDrive. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 0.88 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 162 km/h against 155 km/h for the Bmw i4 M50 xDrive. The gap is 0.72 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 12.01 s. The 0.88 s gap represents roughly 46 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 216 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 20.48 s versus 21.97 s, with a 1.48 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw 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 3.62 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 0.88 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 (3,04 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: 510 hp, ratio 3,62 kg/hp.
i4 M50 xDrive G26: 225 km/h. Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h.