Tesla Model S P85D vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model S P85D hits 100 km/h in 3.33 s versus 3.93 s for the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The instant torque of 931 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model S P85D leads by 0.60 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model S P85D is doing 167 km/h against 164 km/h for the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The gap is 0.49 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model S P85D crosses the line in 11.17 s versus 11.73 s. The 0.55 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model S P85D continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 232 km/h versus 228 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S P85D finishes in 20.31 s versus 20.92 s, with a 0.61 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (307 km/h), the Giulia Quadrifoglio never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S P85D is capped at 249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Giulia Quadrifoglio at 307 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.

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 5.50 seconds. The 0.60 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.