Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Sedans
AModel 3BEVvsBA3Petrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsModel 3 · A3

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus vs Audi A3 Sportback TFSI 110 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 · 2019 vs 2026 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model 3 Standard Range Plus

227 hp · 449 Nm · 1,655 kg · 2019

VS
AudiPetrol

A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW

150 hp · 250 Nm · 1,290 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus

5.81 s

Gap2.40 sin favour of Model 3 Standard Range Plus
BAudi A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW

8.21 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel 3 Standard Range PlusA3 Sportback TFSI 110 kWGap
0–100 km/h5.81 s8.21 s2.40 s · Model 3 Standard Range Plus
400 m standing start14.27 s16.09 s1.82 s · Model 3 Standard Range Plus
1,000 m standing start26.61 s28.68 s2.07 s · Model 3 Standard Range Plus
Top speed (electronically limited)224 km/h234 km/h10 km/h · A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW
Power-to-weight ratio7.29 kg/hp8.60 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model 3 Standard Range Plus

Watch the race

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

TeslaBEVModel 3 Standard Range Plus
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolA3 Sportback TFSI 110 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 Standard Range PlusA3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW
0–30 km/h1.44 s2.26 s
0–50 km/h2.40 s3.76 s
0–80 km/h4.14 s6.05 s
0–100 km/h5.81 s8.21 s
0–120 km/h8.01 s10.86 s
0–160 km/h15.57 s18.73 s
0–200 km/h32.27 s33.92 s
400 m standing start14.27 s16.09 s
1,000 m standing start26.61 s28.68 s
Top speed224 km/h234 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 Standard Range Plus

7,29kg/hpratio better by 1,31 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power227 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque449 Nm
Weight1 655 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
Audi

A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW

8,60kg/hpcompensated by −365 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power150 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 290 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox6-speed manual gearbox

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus hits 100 km/h in 5.81 s versus 8.21 s for the A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW. The instant torque of 449 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus leads by 2.40 s and sits roughly 28 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus is doing 129 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW. The gap is 1.54 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus crosses the line in 14.26 s versus 16.09 s. The 1.83 s gap represents roughly 73 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 167 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus finishes in 26.61 s versus 28.67 s, with a 2.06 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (224 vs 234 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus 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 12.46 seconds. The 2.40 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSTesla

i4 eDrive35 vs Model 3 Standard Range Plus

BMWVSAudi

218i Coupé vs A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW

VolvoVSTesla

V60 T8 AWD Recharge vs Model 3 Standard Range Plus

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW vs 118i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model 3 Standard Range Plus wins (5,81 s vs 8,21 s).

Model 3 Standard Range Plus goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 227 hp, ratio 7,29 kg/hp. A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW: 150 hp, ratio 8,60 kg/hp.

Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 224 km/h. A3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW: 234 km/h.