Over 0–100 km/h, S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 wins (4,45 s vs 5,81 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 | Model 3 Standard Range Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,45 s−1,36 s | 5,81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,59 s−1,68 s | 14,27 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,69 s−3,92 s | 26,61 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+26 km/h | 224 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,29 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 | Model 3 Standard Range Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,04 s | 1,44 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,78 s | 2,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,16 s | 4,14 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,45 s | 5,81 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,85 s | 8,01 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,77 s | 15,57 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 15,18 s | 32,27 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,59 s | 14,27 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,69 s | 26,61 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 224 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 449 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 600 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 195 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 227 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 449 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 655 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
Off the line, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version hits 100 km/h in 4.45 s versus 5.81 s for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Despite lacking instant torque, 449 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version leads by 1.36 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version is doing 145 km/h against 129 km/h for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. The gap is 1.00 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version crosses the line in 12.59 s versus 14.26 s. The 1.68 s gap represents roughly 70 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 207 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version finishes in 22.69 s versus 26.61 s, with a 3.92 s lead.
The S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model 3 Standard Range Plus’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus at 225 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 9.43 seconds. The 1.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 wins (4,45 s vs 5,81 s).
S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,45 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 449 hp, ratio 4,89 kg/hp. Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 227 hp, ratio 7,29 kg/hp.
S 500 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223: 250 km/h. Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 224 km/h.