Whenever one brings up the inevitable drag race factor in a discussion regarding conventional, internal combustion engine cars and electric alternatives, it is almost a duty of anyone defending ICE to point out that this sort of comparison is not fair. It’s not fair for a number of reasons but the main factor here is the fact that you simply can’t beat instant torque and power delivery. What we have here, then, is a race that has been decided the moment the M2 and the Tesla left the factory.
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The guys from Throttle House had a BMW M2 Competition on their hands for a couple of days and they put it to some really good use. First, they compared it to the Honda Civic Type-R on a track, which is definitely a better comparison than what we’re seeing here. Now, they are pitting the Bavarian machine against an electric car, the Tesla Model 3. This is the standard Model 3, not the Performance version but even so, it’s an EV going up against an ICE car.
The specs don’t say the whole story though. The BMW M2 Competition has a 3-liter straight six engine you might otherwise know very well from the M3 and M4. The S55, in this case, has been downtuned to make 410 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. This car is also a manual, so launching it with its rear-wheel drive setup is challenging. Even in perfect conditions, the M2 Competition would take 4.4 seconds to do 62 mph from standstill.
The Model 3, on the other hand, has 346 HP at its disposal but it come with all-wheel drive and instant torque. It will do 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in a claimed 4.6 seconds according to the guys over at Throttle House. The thing is, the M2 will struggle off the line but most likely won’t fall behind once it hooks up. Is it too close to call? Let’s see.
I grew up with loud everything. Nice to have quiet, stealth, power. I own a Model X and a Panamera 4S. Going from the Tesla to the Panamera, you give it the gas but you have to wait. You have to wait for the engine to rev, gear change, EFI spraying. Tesla, one speed gearbox, no tranny, just full 1.4 G’s pressing on your chest.
M2 is a stick shift, no wonder he lost so badly.
I want to see a M340i xDrive vs the Tesla.
useless test, whats next? P100D vs Lotus Elise in the 1/4?
Buy a used Model 3 in a few years for 50% off. Used Gas cars are so complex to repair. EV’s have less Components to fail.
“EV’s have less Components to fail”
This comment is so ridiculously wrong, I question the intentions of the poster.
It’s not ridiculously wrong. The powertrain is a lot simpler and more reliable. Electric motors were used before your grandfather were born and they are incredibly reliable and long-lived. Modern batteries are also incredibly reliable and quite long-lived.
The thing, though, about Teslas is that the quality in the non-powertrain appartment (which isn’t related to it being electric at all) aren’t as good as it should be. His distinction was about the vehicle type by powertrain and on that merit, he it definitely correct. Even though Teslas have had issues with EV-irrelevant components and parts.
Eddie might be somewhat biased. Though, everything else on the car is easier to fix than the powertrain (which can become quite expensive). Who knows how a second-hand Model 3 will fare in a few years. I imagine the paint being effed up if it didn’t have paint protection (though, it’s common for modern cars to have very thin and weak paint). Other things… Well, we’ll see. Model 3 has seen a step up in quality since Model S and X so that’s a good thing. I just hope the cost-cutting doesn’t also lead to quality-cutting. If they’re smart, they’ll see they can save money on improving the quality.
The Panamera is my wife’s car but she prefers the Tesla. I guess we will check out the Taycan when it arrives. We already have solar panels. It is nice to charge at home vs a dirty gas station. Plus the Tesla saves us at least $300/month on gas. If you add the house savings with solar, around $900/month savings. That is Lots of dough!