It’s time once again for a drag race between the Tesla Model 3, the BMW M3, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to see which fast sedan is the quickest.
We have seen the Tesla Model 3 punch far above its weight class in most races it’s featured in. On-demand electric torque and all-wheel-drive mean that the Model 3 is capable of extreme acceleration from a standstill, and is fast enough to leave even supercars in the dust on its way from zero to sixty.
The Model 3 Performance, which is the fastest of the Model 3 trims, features twin electric motors for a combined 473 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque. That seems reasonable, in comparison with the other cars in this race, but keep in mind that power arrives immediately when the throttle is pressed. Zero to sixty is just 3.2 seconds, while top speed arrives at 162 mph.
The next fastest car is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It’s 2.9-L twin-turbo V6 produces 503 hp and 443 lb-ft, but has to wait for its twin-turbos to spool up before all that power comes online. Zero to sixty takes 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. It’s also the lightest car of the four at just 3,360 lbs.
Next is the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S with a 4.0-L twin-turbo V8 lurking under the hood. Power is 503 horses and 516 lb-ft, with zero to sixty taking 4.0 seconds. The Merc shines in the medium gears, however, with a top speed of 180 mph.
Finally, the venerable BMW M3. A 3.0-L inline turbo 6-cylinder produces just 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, making it the easy call for last place. Things would be different if this were the M3 Competition model, but it’s not, so we can safely discount this little Bimmer.
Top Gear put a little twist on this race by making it a half-mile drag race. This puts the Model 3 at a slight disadvantage in the top end, although it’s still expected to crush its peers off the line. Check out the video above to see how these cars stack up.