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AModel 3vsBi4BEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsModel 3 · i4

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD vs BMW i4 eDrive35 G26: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2024 vs 2024 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model 3 Long Range AWD

358 hp · 637 Nm · 1,857 kg · 2024

VS
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

4.26 s

Gap1.82 sin favour of Model 3 Long Range AWD
BBMW i4 eDrive35 G26

6.08 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel 3 Long Range AWDi4 eDrive35 G26Gap
0–100 km/h4.26 s6.08 s1.82 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD
400 m standing start12.62 s14.38 s1.76 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD
1,000 m standing start23.18 s26.26 s3.08 s · Model 3 Long Range AWD
Top speed (electronically limited)233 km/h190 km/h43 km/h · Model 3 Long Range AWD
Power-to-weight ratio5.19 kg/hp6.99 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model 3 Long Range AWD

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

TeslaBEVModel 3 Long Range AWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWBEVi4 eDrive35 G26
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageModel 3 Long Range AWDi4 eDrive35 G26
0–30 km/h1.13 s1.69 s
0–50 km/h1.88 s2.81 s
0–80 km/h3.13 s4.56 s
0–100 km/h4.26 s6.08 s
0–120 km/h5.71 s8.04 s
0–160 km/h10.08 s14.28 s
0–200 km/h16.70 s-
400 m standing start12.62 s14.38 s
1,000 m standing start23.18 s26.26 s
Top speed233 km/h190 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Tesla

Model 3 Long Range AWD

5,19kg/hpratio better by 1,81 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power358 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque637 Nm
Weight1 857 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

i4 eDrive35 G26

6,99kg/hpcompensated by −143 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power286 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight2 000 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxAutomatic transmission, single-speed with fixed ratio

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range AWD hits 100 km/h in 4.26 s versus 6.08 s for the i4 eDrive35. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range AWD leads by 1.82 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is doing 145 km/h against 131 km/h for the i4 eDrive35. The gap is 1.31 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range AWD crosses the line in 12.62 s versus 14.38 s. The 1.76 s gap represents roughly 76 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 199 km/h versus 179 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range AWD finishes in 23.17 s versus 26.26 s, with a 3.08 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Long Range AWD is capped at 233 km/h, the i4 eDrive35 at 190 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 (5.19 kg/hp vs 6.99 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.27 seconds. The 1.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Model 3 Long Range AWD
Xpeng P7iXpeng P7Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Long Range AWD wins (4,26 s vs 6,08 s).

Model 3 Long Range AWD goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,26 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model 3 Long Range AWD: 358 hp, ratio 5,19 kg/hp. i4 eDrive35 G26: 286 hp, ratio 6,99 kg/hp.

Model 3 Long Range AWD: 233 km/h. i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h.