Tesla Model S P85D vs Porsche 911 Turbo 991.2: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 911 Turbo hits 100 km/h in 3.04 s versus 3.33 s for the Model S P85D. Despite lacking instant torque, 547 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 911 Turbo leads by 0.29 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 911 Turbo is doing 171 km/h against 167 km/h for the Model S P85D. The gap is 0.27 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 911 Turbo crosses the line in 10.79 s versus 11.17 s. The 0.39 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the 911 Turbo continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 238 km/h versus 232 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 911 Turbo finishes in 19.64 s versus 20.31 s, with a 0.67 s lead.

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 911 Turbo at 319 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 4.75 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.