Mercedes S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version W223 vs Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version hits 100 km/h in 4.04 s versus 5.81 s for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Despite lacking instant torque, 537 hp of power compensates. At this point, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version leads by 1.77 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version is doing 153 km/h against 129 km/h for the Model 3 Standard Range Plus. The gap is 1.30 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version crosses the line in 12.07 s versus 14.26 s. The 2.20 s gap represents roughly 91 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 217 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S 580 4MATIC Saloon, long version finishes in 21.70 s versus 26.61 s, with a 4.91 s lead.

The S 580 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 580 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 1.77 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.