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

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.21 s for the John Cooper Works 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 0.49 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 137 km/h for the John Cooper Works FWD. The gap is 0.40 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.16 s versus 14.26 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the John Cooper Works FWD keeps accelerating towards 251 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.25 s.

Around 459 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the John Cooper Works FWD overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 27 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the John Cooper Works FWD finishes in 25.29 s versus 26.28 s. The 0.99 s delta in favour of the John Cooper Works FWD shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

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 9.03 seconds. The 0.49 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.