Undeniably fast, the Tesla have been systematically put to the test in several drag races. From the Model S to the “heavyweight” Model X, passing through the smallest Model 3, there hasn't been a model from the Elon Musk brand that hasn't faced (and almost always beat) internal combustion models in the famous “1 races. /4 mile".
Therefore, it was no great surprise that we came across the video we bring you today, in which Top Gear presenter Chris Harris decided to put the Model 3 Performance to the test against its main competitors: the BMW M3, the Mercedes -AMG C 63 S and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
However, the British presenter has reserved a “little surprise” for this drag race. Chris Harris decided that instead of the usual 1/4 mile, the drag race would be held over half a mile (about 800 meters), because the presenter says that trams tend to “loss gas” to higher speeds and thus the race would be more balanced.
electrons against octane
As you would expect, the Model 3 Performance is the only competitor powered by electricity (when will you arrive, Polestar 2?), with two electric motors and an estimated combined power of 450 hp and 639 Nm of torque , numbers that allow him to fulfill 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4s, despite weighing 1847 kg.
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In the octane-powered squadron, we have two German and one Italian proposals. Starting with the transalpine proposal, the Giulia Quadrifoglio resort to a sonoro 2.9L twin-turbo V6 with 510hp and 600Nm which are transmitted to the rear wheels. The result? The 0 to 100 km/h are fulfilled in 3.9s.
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On the German side, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S has a 4.0 l V8 capable of delivering 510 hp and 700 Nm , numbers that “push” the Stuttgart model up to 100 km/h in just 4s. About the BMW M3 , this one presents itself with a 3.0 l in-line six-cylinder with 430 hp, 550 Nm that allow you to reach 100 km/h in just 4.3s.
Now that we've introduced you to the “rules” of this drag race and the four models that were part of it, it only remains for us to leave you the video here so you can find out which of the four is faster on a 800 m long straight and if the change made by Chris Harris influenced “stole” the reign of the drag strip from the Model 3 Performance.
This drag race was just part of a more in-depth test carried out by Top Gear of the Tesla Model 3 Performance, but without a doubt the electric made a strong impression — guess who's going to buy one?
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