Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD vs BMW i3s (120 Ah) I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.44 s versus 6.81 s for the Bmw i3s (120 Ah). At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 2.37 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 143 km/h against 124 km/h for the Bmw i3s (120 Ah). The gap is 1.57 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range AWD crosses the line in 12.80 s versus 15.05 s. The 2.24 s gap represents roughly 92 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD finishes in 23.49 s versus 28.59 s, with a 5.10 s lead.

The Model 3 Long Range AWD features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw i3s (120 Ah)’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 Model 3 Long Range AWD is capped at 233 km/h, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) at 160 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.

With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.34 kg/hp vs 7.01 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.76 seconds. The 2.37 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.