The wider adoption of electric vehicles on a global scale means people are very curious about all aspects of these cars, from range to charging times. However, they are also interested in how they drive and especially how they accelerate. That’s pretty understandable as electric motors have instant torque and thus provide great adrenaline rushes from behind the wheel. That said, how does BMW’s M850i compare with a Tesla Model 3? That’s what Carwow set out to discover.
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As Mat Watson explains in the beginning, the comparison with the Model 3 is only right, as the Model S P100D will demolish almost any car on the planet in a straight line. Its Ludicrous mode is just madness and few cars can keep up with it. The Model 3, however, is a bit more tame. It has two electric motors with 450 HP and 640 Nm of torque, all-wheel drive and instant pedal response. It’s a really fast car, no matter how you look at it.
The BMW M850i xDrive has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 making 530 PS and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. All of that is sent to the wheels through an automatic 8-speed gearbox and the xDrive system, allowing the M Performance car to reach 62 mph in a claimed 3.7 seconds. It’s fast, no doubt about it, but the E63 S AMG sitting right next to the Tesla is even faster still. With its 612 HP and 850 Nm of torque, some are calling it a supercar, doing 0-62 mph in just over 3 seconds according to Mercedes.
Real life tests, however, showed different results. Both the BMW and Mercedes are known to post even better numbers and that’s because manufacturers these days are underselling the power figures and performance numbers for some reason. The Tesla will have its work cut out though. The AMG will surely be faster but will the M850i beat it as well? Let’s find out.
The little Tesla is ugly as hell.
Next to those other two Germans, it definitely is. Which is a real shame because the performance looks pretty good for that price. Tesla needs some better exterior styling.
Isn’t their designer from Mazda? So just as Korea hired from Audi to recycle VAGs, this design is another years old 3 design, again named after a BMW, speaking of recycling.
Great to know. I didn’t know he came from Mazda (Wikipedia says you’re right).
I think the Model3 would have looked nicer with this front face: https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/960×0/https%3A%2F%2Fblogs-images.forbes.com%2Faarongold1%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F04%2FTesla_Grille_Flat6.jpg
Of course, all this talk of EVs just makes me want the i4 announced and ready to buy now. I want to see what BMW’s take on the EV will be for something that isn’t an i3.
Pay attention, it was supposed to be model e to create SEXY with car models, but Ford threatened to sue.
So instead as with Model S they rip off an established benchmark’s name so they can brag about not spending money on marketing. Right.
What did they rip off? A “3” or an “E”? Seriously? You need a life.
E, until Ford threatened level action. I have a life, Tesla need a new name. Several of them.
Mercedes was a major investor at the time the car was named. Pay attention bro.
I love ours. It is sharp. Other cars by comparison are just frumpy any more (including their dashboards) until you get up into the supercar category but I still would wait on the next Tesla Roadster instead of a Lambo or Koenigsegg.
The merc was gone before the others had started. A bit enthusiastic that driver.
The next Carwow drag race should be between AMG GT R vs Audi R8 vs Bmw i8 Roadster. I am curious who would win.
I’m not sure, but I’d know which one would lose – the i8, since it has a power deficit of 200 horsepower compared to the others. The i8 also boasts a 0-60 time of 4 seconds while the other cars are in the 3 second range. BMW doesn’t advertise it as a proper sports car, and for that money I’d much rather buy an Acura NSX (Which can beat all 3 of the cars mentioned in a straight line).
Sorry, I should have said i3, because Mercedes wins almost 90% of the drag races from Carwow against Bmw.
Everyone is impressed with the first generation Tesla. No one saw Tesla coming and how it is changing the views of what an EV can be. A small USA company accomplishing the American Dream!
The exterior design of the Tesla reminds me of the Porsche Panamera, instantly recognizable. Many cars look so much alike. I like the looks. Remember how the Datsun 240Z Shook up what a sports car could be against the European/Italian sector. Tesla does that with all new technology, WiFi updates for future self driving updates, and the safest car in the world. All first generation. This is what America is all about!
The crickets “coming out of” the Tesla says it all. MIght as well have been canaries chirping happily.