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AMaybachPetrolvsBModel 3BEV
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  • SpecsMaybach · Model 3

Mercedes Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: 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.

sports car · 2025 vs 2021 · Methodology
MercedesPetrol

Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

585 hp · 800 Nm · 2,050 kg · 2025

VS
TeslaBEVFaster

Model 3 Performance

456 hp · 698 Nm · 1,836 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AMercedes Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

4.17 s

Gap0.88 sin favour of Model 3 Performance
BTesla Model 3 Performance

3.29 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureMaybach SL 680 Monogram SeriesModel 3 PerformanceGap
0–100 km/h4.17 s3.29 s0.88 s · Model 3 Performance
400 m standing start12.05 s11.49 s0.56 s · Model 3 Performance
1,000 m standing start21.38 s21.21 s0.17 s · Model 3 Performance
Top speed (electronically limited)260 km/h261 km/h1 km/h · Model 3 Performance
Power-to-weight ratio3.50 kg/hp4.03 kg/hpbetter ratio · Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

Watch the race

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

MercedesPetrolMaybach SL 680 Monogram Series
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
TeslaBEVModel 3 Performance
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.
StageMaybach SL 680 Monogram SeriesModel 3 Performance
0–30 km/h1.22 s0.89 s
0–50 km/h2.04 s1.49 s
0–80 km/h3.32 s2.44 s
0–100 km/h4.17 s3.29 s
0–120 km/h5.35 s4.37 s
0–160 km/h8.23 s7.66 s
0–200 km/h12.08 s12.53 s
400 m standing start12.05 s11.49 s
1,000 m standing start21.38 s21.21 s
Top speed260 km/h261 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.

Mercedes

Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series

3,50kg/hpratio better by 0,52 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power585 hpPending
Torque800 Nm
Weight2 050 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
Tesla

Model 3 Performance

4,03kg/hpcompensated by −214 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power456 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque698 Nm
Weight1 836 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.29 s versus 4.17 s for the Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. The instant torque of 698 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 0.88 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 157 km/h against 158 km/h for the Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. The gap is 0.66 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.49 s versus 12.05 s. The 0.56 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.

At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 21.21 s versus 21.37 s, with just 0.17 s to spare. The Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series fails to fully close the launch gap.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series and the Model 3 Performance are governed to 260 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

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 5.94 seconds. The 0.88 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,29 s vs 4,17 s).

Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series: 585 hp, ratio 3,50 kg/hp. Model 3 Performance: 456 hp, ratio 4,03 kg/hp.

Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series: 260 km/h. Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h.