Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD vs MINI Cooper S FWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.56 s for the Cooper S FWD. The instant torque of 446 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range RWD leads by 0.84 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 132 km/h for the Cooper S FWD. The gap is 0.59 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 14.62 s. The 0.46 s gap represents roughly 21 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the Cooper S FWD keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.25 s.

Around 805 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Cooper S FWD overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 26 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Cooper S FWD finishes in 26.02 s versus 26.28 s. The 0.26 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Model 3 Long Range RWD never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 9.51 seconds. The 0.84 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.