Over 0–100 km/h, Model S Plaid wins (2,10 s vs 6,81 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 | i3s I01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 2,10 s−4,71 s | 6,81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 9,41 s−5,64 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 17,18 s−11,41 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 322 km/h+162 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2,12 kg/hpbetter ratio | 7,01 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 | i3s I01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,62 s | 1,77 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,04 s | 2,96 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 1,66 s | 4,95 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 2,10 s | 6,81 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 2,65 s | 9,25 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 4,28 s | 16,98 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 6,54 s | - |
| 400 m standing start | 9,41 s | 15,05 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 17,18 s | 28,59 s |
| Top speed | 322 km/h | 160 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 | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 270 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Automatic, single-speed with fixed ratio (9.665:1) |
Off the line, the Model S Plaid hits 100 km/h in 2.10 s versus 6.81 s for the i3s. At this point, the Model S Plaid leads by 4.71 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Model S Plaid is doing 193 km/h against 124 km/h for the i3s. The gap is 3.78 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Plaid crosses the line in 9.41 s versus 15.05 s. The 5.64 s gap represents roughly 216 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 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Plaid finishes in 17.17 s versus 28.59 s, with a 11.42 s lead.
The Model S Plaid 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 Plaid is capped at 322 (i.e. 200 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 (2.12 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 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 Plaid wins (2,10 s vs 6,81 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. i3s I01: 184 hp, ratio 7,01 kg/hp.
Model S Plaid: 322 km/h. i3s I01: 160 km/h.