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AModelvsBi3sBEV
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  • SpecsModel · i3s

Tesla Model S Long Range vs BMW i3s I01: 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.

grand tourer · 2019 vs 2018 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model S Long Range

670 hp · 660 Nm · 2,215 kg · 2019

VS
BMWBEV

i3s I01

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,290 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model S Long Range

3.86 s

Gap2.95 sin favour of Model S Long Range
BBMW i3s I01

6.81 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel S Long Rangei3s I01Gap
0–100 km/h3.86 s6.81 s2.95 s · Model S Long Range
400 m standing start11.61 s15.05 s3.44 s · Model S Long Range
1,000 m standing start20.77 s28.59 s7.82 s · Model S Long Range
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · Model S Long Range
Power-to-weight ratio3.31 kg/hp7.01 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model S Long Range

Watch the race

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

TeslaBEVModel S Long Range
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWBEVi3s I01
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 S Long Rangei3s I01
0–30 km/h1.15 s1.77 s
0–50 km/h1.92 s2.96 s
0–80 km/h3.08 s4.95 s
0–100 km/h3.86 s6.81 s
0–120 km/h4.75 s9.25 s
0–160 km/h7.38 s16.98 s
0–200 km/h11.09 s-
400 m standing start11.61 s15.05 s
1,000 m standing start20.77 s28.59 s
Top speed limited250 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 S Long Range

3,31kg/hpratio better by 3,70 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power670 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque660 Nm
Weight2 215 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

i3s I01

7,01kg/hpcompensated by −925 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hpPending
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 290 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxAutomatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Model S Long Range hits 100 km/h in 3.86 s versus 6.81 s for the i3s. At this point, the Model S Long Range leads by 2.95 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model S Long Range is doing 164 km/h against 124 km/h for the i3s. The gap is 2.15 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Long Range crosses the line in 11.60 s versus 15.05 s. The 3.44 s gap represents roughly 138 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model S Long Range continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 231 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Long Range finishes in 20.76 s versus 28.59 s, with a 7.83 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The Model S Long Range features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i3s’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 S Long Range is capped at 249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the i3s 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 (3.31 kg/hp vs 7.01 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.76 seconds. The 2.95 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Long Range wins (3,86 s vs 6,81 s).

Model S Long Range goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,86 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model S Long Range: 670 hp, ratio 3,31 kg/hp. i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.

Model S Long Range: 250 km/h. i3s I01: 160 km/h.