Tesla Model S Performance vs Ferrari 488 GTB : which one is faster?
0-100 km/h, 400 m, 1000 m, top speed — physics simulation calibrated on 7 measures.
Simulation de performance
Race simulation at real speed
CONFIDENCE 94%The Model S reaches 100 km/h first (2.53 s vs 3.03 s), but the 488 GTB is ahead at every metre of the race. Explanation: the 488 GTB accelerates harder at low speed and builds a distance gap before either car hits 100 km/h.
Why this result?
The Tesla Model S Performance is faster at 0-100 km/h, but the Ferrari 488 GTB compensates at high speed thanks to higher peak power or top speed. At 400 m, Ferrari 488 GTB leads by 0.12 s.
Calibrated physics simulation: SCx via VMax, power curves, Crr via WLTP, drivetrain losses. Manufacturer 0-100 is the calibration target. Confidence 94 %.
Model S Performance vs 488 GTB: chronicle of a drag race at 339 km/h
The launch: 0 to 100 km/h
Off the line, the Model S Performance hits 100 km/h in 2.53 s versus 3.03 s for the 488 GTB. The instant torque of 1,139 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model S Performance leads by 0.50 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
From 100 km/h to 400 metres
At 200 metres, the Model S Performance is doing 175 km/h against 188 km/h for the 488 GTB. The gap is 0.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 488 GTB crosses the line in 10.20 s versus 10.31 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track — barely a car length.
Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play
Past 400 metres, the 488 GTB continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 261 km/h versus 244 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 488 GTB finishes in 18.27 s versus 19.02 s, with a 0.75 s lead.
What the numbers don’t tell you
Electronically capped at 262 km/h, the Model S Performance 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.
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 3.98 seconds. The 0.50 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Tesla Model S Performance has a clear edge over the Ferrari 488 GTB to 100 km/h. This difference is clearly noticeable in spirited driving and widens on standing starts.