Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD vs BMW 225d Convertible F22: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.54 s for the Bmw 225d Convertible. The instant torque of 446 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range RWD leads by 0.82 s and sits roughly 9 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 127 km/h for the Bmw 225d Convertible. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.16 s versus 14.76 s. The 0.60 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the Bmw 225d Convertible keeps accelerating towards 231 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.61 s.

At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD finishes in 26.28 s versus 26.79 s, with just 0.51 s to spare. The Bmw 225d Convertible fails to fully close the launch gap.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Long Range RWD is capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 225d Convertible at 231 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 10.18 seconds. The 0.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.