BMW M440i G22 vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.26 s versus 4.83 s for the Bmw M440i. The instant torque of 637 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 0.57 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 145 km/h against 146 km/h for the Bmw M440i. The gap is 0.40 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range AWD crosses the line in 12.62 s versus 12.93 s. The 0.31 s gap represents roughly 16 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Model 3 Long Range AWD maxes out at 233 km/h while the Bmw M440i keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.19 s.

Around 951 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Bmw M440i overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 17 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Bmw M440i finishes in 23.15 s versus 23.17 s. The 0.02 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Bmw M440i is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Long Range AWD at 233 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.06 seconds. The 0.57 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.