Porsche 2013 Panamera GTS 970.1 vs Tesla Model S 85: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 2013 Panamera GTS hits 100 km/h in 4.48 s versus 5.75 s for the Model S 85. Despite lacking instant torque, 430 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 2013 Panamera GTS leads by 1.27 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 2013 Panamera GTS is doing 147 km/h against 137 km/h for the Model S 85. The gap is 0.94 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 2013 Panamera GTS crosses the line in 12.69 s versus 13.94 s. The 1.25 s gap represents roughly 57 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 2013 Panamera GTS continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 2013 Panamera GTS finishes in 22.94 s versus 25.17 s, with a 2.22 s lead.

The 2013 Panamera GTS features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model S 85’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 2013 Panamera GTS is capped at 288 km/h, the Model S 85 at 201 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 8.41 seconds. The 1.27 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.