Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Performance wins (2,53 s vs 7,24 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Model S Performance | i3 I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2,53 s−4,71 s | 7,24 s |
| 400 m standing start | 10,32 s−5,08 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 19,02 s−10,78 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 262 km/h+112 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,47 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Model S Performance | i3 I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,71 s | 1,88 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,18 s | 3,14 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 1,91 s | 5,25 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 2,53 s | 7,24 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 3,31 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 5,58 s | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 8,76 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 10,32 s | 15,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 19,02 s | 29,80 s |
| Top speed | 262 km/h | 150 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 778 hp | Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 1139 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 250 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 170 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 270 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the Model S Performance hits 100 km/h in 2.53 s versus 7.24 s for the i3. At this point, the Model S Performance leads by 4.71 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model S Performance is doing 175 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 3.48 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Performance crosses the line in 10.31 s versus 15.40 s. The 5.09 s gap represents roughly 194 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model S Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 244 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Performance finishes in 19.02 s versus 29.80 s, with a 10.78 s lead.
The Model S Performance features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i3’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 Performance is capped at 262 km/h, the i3 at 150 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 (2.89 kg/hp vs 7.47 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.47 seconds. The 4.71 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Performance wins (2,53 s vs 7,24 s).
Model S Performance goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model S Performance: 778 hp, ratio 2,89 kg/hp. i3 I01: 170 hp, ratio 7,47 kg/hp.
Model S Performance: 262 km/h. i3 I01: 150 km/h.