Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Plaid wins (2,10 s vs 3,66 s).
Performance comparison
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 Plaid | RS 5 Avant | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2,10 s−1,56 s | 3,66 s |
| 400 m standing start | 9,41 s−2,31 s | 11,72 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 17,18 s−4,18 s | 21,36 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 322 km/h+72 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2,12 kg/hpbetter ratio | 3,71 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 Plaid | RS 5 Avant |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,62 s | 0,97 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,04 s | 1,61 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 1,66 s | 2,67 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 2,10 s | 3,66 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 2,65 s | 4,82 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 4,28 s | 7,97 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 6,54 s | 12,48 s |
| 400 m standing start | 9,41 s | 11,72 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 17,18 s | 21,36 s |
| Top speed limited | 322 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 1020 hp | Triple Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 1424 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 162 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 639 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 825 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 370 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the Model S Plaid hits 100 km/h in 2.10 s versus 3.66 s for the RS 5 Avant. At this point, the Model S Plaid leads by 1.56 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model S Plaid is doing 193 km/h against 156 km/h for the RS 5 Avant. The gap is 1.54 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Plaid crosses the line in 9.41 s versus 11.72 s. The 2.31 s gap represents roughly 118 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Model S Plaid continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 270 km/h versus 218 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Plaid finishes in 17.17 s versus 21.35 s, with a 4.18 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S Plaid is capped at 322 (i.e. 200 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the RS 5 Avant at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (2.12 kg/hp vs 3.71 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.51 seconds. The 1.56 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Plaid wins (2,10 s vs 3,66 s).
Model S Plaid goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2,10 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model S Plaid: 1020 hp, ratio 2,12 kg/hp. RS 5 Avant: 639 hp, ratio 3,71 kg/hp.
Model S Plaid: 322 km/h. RS 5 Avant: 250 km/h.