Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Mercedes S 500 4MATIC Limousine Langversion W223: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.36 s versus 4.45 s for the S 500 4MATIC Limousine Langversion. The instant torque of 713 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 1.09 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 156 km/h against 145 km/h for the S 500 4MATIC Limousine Langversion. The gap is 0.76 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.57 s versus 12.59 s. The 1.01 s gap represents roughly 50 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 207 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 21.35 s versus 22.69 s, with a 1.33 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (261 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Performance is capped at 261 km/h, the S 500 4MATIC Limousine Langversion at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) 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 6.84 seconds. The 1.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.