Tesla Model 3 Drag Races BMW M850i and Mercedes-AMG E63 S

The BMW and Mercedes models are big, burly performance cars. They cost about the same too, though their performance isn't on the same level. You'd think just looking at the M850i that it's a faster car, though you'd be wrong.

The Coupe body doesn't make it any lighter, and while the 4.4-liter V8 that resides under its hood is more powerful than a 550i sedan, it's still no match for the AMG. To be more specific with the numbers, starting with the BMW, which has 530 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque.

Next is the Mercedes with a slightly smaller 4-liter V8 that cranks out 612 HP and 850 Nm of torque. The Tesla Model 3 is presented in the Performance guise, with about 450 HP and 650 Nm of torque. But the fact that it doesn't have any gears is a huge advantage.

Based purely on the numbers, you'd think the AMG was faster, and it is, by a long way. But what's shocking is how the Model 3 hangs on to a small lead right up until the end of the quarter-mile race. This is a result with which Elon Musk should be happy with. If only he could crank out a million cars a year so that the investors will be happy too.

But it did come last, so the Model 3 needs to redeem itself in the rolling race. Thanks to the instant torque it does. Only above 100 mph are the internally combusting V8 powerhouses passing it. But you have to remember that these are almost twice as expensive, and the baby Tesla would wipe the Mercedes or BMW models around $60,000.