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AModel 3vsBQ4 40BEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsModel 3 · Q4 40

Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Audi Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW: 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 2021 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model 3 Performance

510 hp · 769 Nm · 1,844 kg · 2024

VS
AudiBEV

Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW

201 hp · 310 Nm · 2,125 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model 3 Performance

3.04 s

Gap5.58 sin favour of Model 3 Performance
BAudi Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW

8.62 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel 3 PerformanceQ4 40 e-tron 150 kWGap
0–100 km/h3.04 s8.62 s5.58 s · Model 3 Performance
400 m standing start11.13 s16.48 s5.35 s · Model 3 Performance
1,000 m standing start20.49 s30.31 s9.82 s · Model 3 Performance
Top speed (electronically limited)261 km/h160 km/h101 km/h · Model 3 Performance
Power-to-weight ratio3.62 kg/hp10.57 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
AudiBEVQ4 40 e-tron 150 kW
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 PerformanceQ4 40 e-tron 150 kW
0–30 km/h0.82 s2.25 s
0–50 km/h1.37 s3.76 s
0–80 km/h2.26 s6.28 s
0–100 km/h3.04 s8.62 s
0–120 km/h4.03 s11.71 s
0–160 km/h6.97 s22.41 s
0–200 km/h11.20 s-
400 m standing start11.13 s16.48 s
1,000 m standing start20.49 s30.31 s
Top speed261 km/h160 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

3,62kg/hpratio better by 6,96 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power510 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque769 Nm
Weight1 844 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
Audi

Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW

10,57kg/hpcompensated by −281 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power201 hpPending
Torque310 Nm
Weight2 125 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxUnknown

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.04 s versus 8.62 s for the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW. At this point, the Model 3 Performance leads by 5.58 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Performance is doing 162 km/h against 115 km/h for the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW. The gap is 3.75 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Performance crosses the line in 11.12 s versus 16.48 s. The 5.36 s gap represents roughly 193 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 224 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Performance finishes in 20.48 s versus 30.31 s, with a 9.82 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The Model 3 Performance features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Performance is capped at 261 km/h, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW at 160 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 (3.62 kg/hp vs 10.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.70 seconds. The 5.58 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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XC40 Recharge Twin AWD vs Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Performance wins (3,04 s vs 8,62 s).

Model 3 Performance goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,04 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model 3 Performance: 510 hp, ratio 3,62 kg/hp. Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW: 201 hp, ratio 10,57 kg/hp.

Model 3 Performance: 261 km/h. Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW: 160 km/h.