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

Tesla Model 3 Performance 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 · 2019 vs 2024 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model 3 Performance

450 hp · 713 Nm · 1,836 kg · 2019

VS
BMWBEV

i4 eDrive35 G26

286 hp · 400 Nm · 2,000 kg · 2024

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model 3 Performance

3.36 s

Gap2.72 sin favour of Model 3 Performance
BBMW i4 eDrive35 G26

6.08 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel 3 Performancei4 eDrive35 G26Gap
0–100 km/h3.36 s6.08 s2.72 s · Model 3 Performance
400 m standing start11.58 s14.38 s2.80 s · Model 3 Performance
1,000 m standing start21.36 s26.26 s4.90 s · Model 3 Performance
Top speed (electronically limited)261 km/h190 km/h71 km/h · Model 3 Performance
Power-to-weight ratio4.08 kg/hp6.99 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model 3 Performance

Watch the race

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

TeslaBEVModel 3 Performance
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 Performancei4 eDrive35 G26
0–30 km/h0.89 s1.69 s
0–50 km/h1.49 s2.81 s
0–80 km/h2.47 s4.56 s
0–100 km/h3.36 s6.08 s
0–120 km/h4.49 s8.04 s
0–160 km/h7.86 s14.28 s
0–200 km/h12.81 s-
400 m standing start11.58 s14.38 s
1,000 m standing start21.36 s26.26 s
Top speed261 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 Performance

4,08kg/hpratio better by 2,91 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power450 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque713 Nm
Weight1 836 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

i4 eDrive35 G26

6,99kg/hpcompensated by −164 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 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.36 s versus 6.08 s for the i4 eDrive35. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 2.72 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 156 km/h against 131 km/h for the i4 eDrive35. The gap is 2.03 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.57 s versus 14.38 s. The 2.80 s gap represents roughly 119 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 179 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 21.35 s versus 26.26 s, with a 4.91 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Performance is capped at 261 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 (4.08 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 2.72 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 Performance
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWDTesla Model 3 PerformanceTesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

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i4 M50 xDrive vs Model 3 Performance

BMWVSTesla

i4 eDrive35 vs Model 3 Long Range RWD

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,36 s vs 6,08 s).

Model 3 Performance goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model 3 Performance: 450 hp, ratio 4,08 kg/hp. i4 eDrive35 G26: 286 hp, ratio 6,99 kg/hp.

Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h. i4 eDrive35 G26: 190 km/h.