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BMW i5 xDrive40 G60 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.

grand tourer · 2025 vs 2024 · Methodology
BMWBEVFaster

i5 xDrive40 G60

394 hp · 590 Nm · 2,280 kg · 2025

VS
TeslaBEV

Model 3 RWD

282 hp · 461 Nm · 1,752 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW i5 xDrive40 G60

5.30 s

Gap0.70 sin favour of i5 xDrive40
BTesla Model 3 RWD

6.00 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measurei5 xDrive40 G60Model 3 RWDGap
0–100 km/h5.30 s6.00 s0.70 s · i5 xDrive40 G60
400 m standing start13.59 s14.23 s0.64 s · i5 xDrive40 G60
1,000 m standing start24.58 s25.66 s1.08 s · i5 xDrive40 G60
Top speed (electronically limited)215 km/h201 km/h14 km/h · i5 xDrive40 G60
Power-to-weight ratio5.79 kg/hp6.21 kg/hpbetter ratio · i5 xDrive40 G60

Watch the race

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

BMWBEVi5 xDrive40 G60
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.
Stagei5 xDrive40 G60Model 3 RWD
0–30 km/h1.43 s1.65 s
0–50 km/h2.39 s2.76 s
0–80 km/h3.92 s4.49 s
0–100 km/h5.30 s6.00 s
0–120 km/h7.04 s7.92 s
0–160 km/h12.04 s13.46 s
0–200 km/h19.54 s22.08 s
400 m standing start13.59 s14.23 s
1,000 m standing start24.58 s25.66 s
Top speed215 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

i5 xDrive40 G60

5,79kg/hpratio better by 0,43 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power394 hpPending
Torque590 Nm
Weight2 280 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-stage with fixed ratio
Tesla

Model 3 RWD

6,21kg/hpcompensated by −528 kg
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 i5 xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 5.30 s versus 6.00 s for the Model 3 RWD. At this point, the i5 xDrive40 leads by 0.70 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the i5 xDrive40 is doing 137 km/h against 133 km/h for the Model 3 RWD. The gap is 0.49 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the i5 xDrive40 crosses the line in 13.59 s versus 14.23 s. The 0.64 s gap represents roughly 29 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the i5 xDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the i5 xDrive40 finishes in 24.58 s versus 25.66 s, with a 1.08 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (215 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 i5 xDrive40 is capped at 215 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 (5.79 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 9.08 seconds. The 0.70 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 i5 xDrive40 G60
Xpeng P7iBMW i4 eDrive35
Instead of Model 3 RWD
Tesla Model S 85

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, i5 xDrive40 G60 wins (5,30 s vs 6,00 s).

i5 xDrive40 G60 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,30 seconds (calibrated simulation).

i5 xDrive40 G60: 394 hp, ratio 5,79 kg/hp. Model 3 RWD: 282 hp, ratio 6,21 kg/hp.

i5 xDrive40 G60: 215 km/h. Model 3 RWD: 201 km/h.