Ever since Elon Musk made is outlandish claims that the Tesla Model 3 Performance would be the greatest track car since the invention of race tracks (intentional hyperbole, Tesla fans. Chill), journalists have wanted to test that claim. Each time the Model 3 Performance has been on track with its competitors, it’s almost always been faster. The only car in its class that’s beaten the Tesla on track, that we know of, is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Though, no one does comparison tests quite like Top Gear’s Chris Harris. So he recently put the Model 3 Performance up against the BMW M3, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the aforementioned Alfa.
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Unfortunately, we live in America and the new season of Top Gear hasn’t begun airing here just yet. So we didn’t get to see the entire episode. Thankfully, TG put a short clip of the test up on the YouTube machine for us to watch.
In that short clip, we get to see a drag race between the four cars, though it’s one with a minor modification from the rest of the internet’s drag races. Rather than the typical quarter-mile race, Harris drags them for a half-mile. Why? Because EVs are always faster than comparable gasoline cars in a quarter-mile but always run out of puff after 100 mph. So Harris extends the race a bit, just to see what happens.
Off the line, the Telsa obliterates the other three. It simply walks away from them without even trying. However, after 120 mph, the gasoline cars start to catch up. Though, there isn’t much distance left in the race at that point, so the Tesla mostly holds onto its lead. I say mostly because the mighty AMG storms past it in the final seconds and wins the race.
So, I think I’ll be buying a Tesla Model 3 quite soon. Thought it was so impressive. Nothing like as enjoyable as an M3, but as my first toe-dip into the leccy world, it should work until they figure out how to make EVs more fun and desirable.
— chris harris (@harrismonkey) June 24, 2019
We didn’t get to see the part where Harris puts the Model 3 Performance on track against the other three, as we’ll have to wait for the season to debut here for that. However, we’re assuming/hoping some of our European readers will let us in on the details. Though, Harris did tweet a bit about it, claiming that the Model 3 Performance is impressive enough for him to buy one but still not as fun as an M3 on track.
I know this is going to sound like M3 fanboy-ism (it isn’t, I’m not even a huge fan of this generation M3) but isn’t fun the entire point of a track day? Sure, the Tesla will likely crush the Bimmer on track but if the driver isn’t having as much fun, what’s the point? Unless you’re using race winnings to pay your bills, the entire reason for taking your car to the track is to have some stupid fun, which is usually more likely to happen while going slower and in a cloud of tire smoke.
There’s no questioning the Model 3 Performance’s, well, performance. It’s astonishing, it really is. But if it’s devoid of fun and emotion (which not all electric cars are), can it really be considered the better track car? I’m not judging, I’m really asking.
You will probably have 2 camps here – the speed purist camp will prefer whatever wins – drivers tend to be a pretty competitive lot and lets face it – having fun while coming in 2nd place just isn’t quite as much fun for this camp. Then you will have the other camp which I think is appropriately captured in his last line of the article “the entire reason for taking your car to the track is to have some
stupid fun, which is usually more likely to happen while going slower
and in a cloud of tire smoke.”
I think both are valid perspectives and hey – if we were all the same – the world would be pretty boring!!
This is a well-tempered response. I agree. I also think the world is a better place with both sorts of cars.
I like EVs to get to work. But Model 3 is ugly (especially at the front end) and it’s driver will have a very passive part while the battery is empty and everyone else at the race track refuels in a couple of minutes.
I currently drive the M4 since November 2015. I am going to switch to the Tesla Model 3 Performance in September for the only reason being tax related. Although I do care about the environment this is not my main reason for switching and I believe that my personal impact on the evironment is very minimal if not close to non existant.
I live in Belgium and the high taxes we have to pay for high Co2 cars are crazy, you win Belgian government.
Please spare me the EV-fanboyisms. The Tesla is a one-trick pony. Even that straight line accelleration is good for only a few runs, afterwards battery protection cuts in. What I must say, however, is that some high prestige manufacturers could do better with certain basic things. Like why is it that a Tesla 3 beats a M850i in stopping distance???
You’re confusing the Model S and X with the Model 3. The Model 3 has “track mode” where it keeps the battery cool throughout lots of runs. Watch the episode.
M3 looks faster parked. Also moving (esp. in that crazy red!).
I own a Model X, my wife owns a Panamera 4S. We fight over who is driving the Tesla. Our oldest son a few years ago, turned 16. We bought him a German vehicle as it was designed for the autobahn for safety and durability. Plus, at that time very few vehicles offered stability control, except Germany. In the USA, stability control was mandated starting in 2012. My youngest will be turning 16, next year. It will be an EV and I am willing to spend more on a Model 3 to know she has more a chance in case of collisions. So many distracted drivers crossing the center divide of roads. We have had 4 different deaths just this week. Another
Too true. The Tesla Model 3 is the best car ever tested for driver and passenger safety. Personally, I just think it is so much fun to drive on a daily basis. I’m sure there are more fun cars for the track but for most people that is a rare event to something they have never done. The point of the Top Gear test and why Chris Harris is going to get one is that it isn’t bad there either. So daily driving is a blast while you’re getting 100+ MPGe.
I love people making claims they know nothing about. I race and teach high performance track driving and own both a GT4 and a P3D+ and can tell you the Tesla is plenty fun on the track watch some of my videos on the Driving_Tesla YouTube channel and see for yourself. I know Chris and he hasnt learned how to drive Performance Model 3 yet like it needs to be driven. 😂🤣😂
I agree. It takes more than a day or two of driving to understand the difference of driving an EV like a Tesla. The point is that it’s likely a professional driver can shave quite a bit off the time after they understand the different techniques to drive a Tesla P3D+.