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  • SpecsModel · i3s

Tesla Model S P85D 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 · 2014 vs 2018 · Methodology
TeslaBEVFaster

Model S P85D

691 hp · 931 Nm · 2,239 kg · 2014

VS
BMWBEV

i3s I01

184 hp · 270 Nm · 1,290 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

ATesla Model S P85D

3.33 s

Gap3.48 sin favour of Model S P85D
BBMW i3s I01

6.81 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureModel S P85Di3s I01Gap
0–100 km/h3.33 s6.81 s3.48 s · Model S P85D
400 m standing start11.18 s15.05 s3.87 s · Model S P85D
1,000 m standing start20.31 s28.59 s8.28 s · Model S P85D
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h160 km/h90 km/h · Model S P85D
Power-to-weight ratio3.24 kg/hp7.01 kg/hpbetter ratio · Model S P85D

Watch the race

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

TeslaBEVModel S P85D
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 P85Di3s I01
0–30 km/h0.98 s1.77 s
0–50 km/h1.64 s2.96 s
0–80 km/h2.62 s4.95 s
0–100 km/h3.33 s6.81 s
0–120 km/h4.21 s9.25 s
0–160 km/h6.80 s16.98 s
0–200 km/h10.49 s-
400 m standing start11.18 s15.05 s
1,000 m standing start20.31 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 P85D

3,24kg/hpratio better by 3,77 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power691 hpDual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque931 Nm
Weight2 239 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear
BMW

i3s I01

7,01kg/hpcompensated by −949 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 P85D hits 100 km/h in 3.33 s versus 6.81 s for the i3s. At this point, the Model S P85D leads by 3.48 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Model S P85D is doing 167 km/h against 124 km/h for the i3s. The gap is 2.54 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 15.05 s. The 3.87 s gap represents roughly 154 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Model S P85D continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 232 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S P85D finishes in 20.31 s versus 28.59 s, with a 8.28 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The Model S P85D 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 P85D 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 (3.24 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 3.48 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Model S P85D vs S e-tron GT

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ID.3 Pro S vs i3s

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Model S P85D wins (3,33 s vs 6,81 s).

Model S P85D goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,33 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Model S P85D: 691 hp, ratio 3,24 kg/hp. i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.

Model S P85D: 250 km/h. i3s I01: 160 km/h.