DS DS9 E-Tense 250 vs Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the ID.3 Pro S hits 100 km/h in 7.88 s versus 8.36 s for the DS9 E-Tense 250. At this point, the ID.3 Pro S leads by 0.48 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the ID.3 Pro S is doing 118 km/h against 121 km/h for the DS9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.50 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the ID.3 Pro S crosses the line in 15.91 s versus 16.22 s. The 0.30 s gap represents roughly 13 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The ID.3 Pro S maxes out at 160 km/h while the DS9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.06 s.

Around 642 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the DS9 E-Tense 250 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 75 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the DS9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 29.62 s. The 1.05 s delta in favour of the DS9 E-Tense 250 shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

On paper, the DS9 E-Tense 250 combines 253 hp, 520 Nm and 1,900 kg — a clear theoretical edge over the ID.3 Pro S. Yet the ID.3 Pro S launches quicker. At standstill, both motors deliver peak torque from 0 rpm: the decisive factor is no longer raw power, but available grip. If the ID.3 Pro S has a better traction coefficient (tyres, weight distribution, traction control calibration), it puts down more force despite inferior specs — exactly what the simulation reflects, calibrated on manufacturer 0-100 km/h times.

Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the ID.3 Pro S never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (7.51 kg/hp vs 9.46 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.58 seconds. The 0.48 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.