DRIVEN: The FIRST Review Of The All-new Tesla Model 3 Performance — Finally, We May Have A BMW M3 Killer

Straight line acceleration does not establish automotive equivalency beyond this one metric.

I'll bet blood that BMW fans don't flock to the Model 3 in any meaningful numbers. In other words, no, the Model 3 is not a BMW killer.

Model 3 is more about handling than it is acceleration, ask anyone who actually owns a Model 3. If you test drive it, even the base model with RWD handles better than a Model S. That is the one thing I feel they nailed most with the car.

I drive an EV. I looked at the Model 3 this week, and I was very impressed by the interior space and a look that has very Germanic functionality. This one is going to hurt some incumbents. So, keep a couple of jugs of blood handy, just in case you have a major loss!

The amount of BS is off the charts.

I'm not sure what I'd do without the boy-genius Darringer in here telling me what to think.

What are his qualifications again? Harvard MBA? Years of experience?

Oh, oh course, CarlosSanJoseLassiterDriver you agree with the article because ElectricTrump paid for it.

@carloslassiter: The more you get entangled with the trolls and neo-fascists, they more they celebrate getting under your skin :-/

Consider expressing yourself freely, and not feeding the trolls. I figure descent people here will see forks for what they are. No need to argue with those who aren't into facts or reason.

I'm more curious to see if the Model 3 can do more than one lap of a racetrack and how much brake pad materials are left after.

Model 3 RWD is not designed for the track, Model 3 Performance is. It has enhanced braking from both performance brakes and a second motor. Neither the battery nor the motors overhead like the Model S/X, it's easily a better track car than the S.

Gee - another 3 Series Killer !
Lets see - the Audi A4 did not do it - Neither did the Mercedes C-class Nor did any Lexus - Infiniti - Cadillac V series - Acura - Alfa - OR EVEN a Kia !!!! Some of these TESTED better than the 3 series - but were unable to compete.

Now we have another pretender - one that is NOT anywhere in the same class as the 3 Series -and IT is not in competition with the 3 Series either. It is a Mass Market car - from MAYBE a second tier car Manufacturer - but it was specifically designed to be a MASS MARKET car - and the interior of the car cannot begin to compete with MOST of the above named INCLUDING the 3 Series.

ALl we need to do is have a race between the Model 3 and the 3 series - 500 miles AT INDY - to show just how far behind the Model 3 is. Or Maybe 600 miles at Talladega. THe Model 3 will be HOURS behind!

Model 3 Performance was designed to compete directly with the M3 just like the Model 3 RWD version competes with the 330i and the AWD version competes with the 340i xDrive. Note the 0-60 times and prices are near-identical to those tiers (Tesla is 0.1 seconds faster). Handling was also benchmarked between the two. I can promise that Tesla will beat BMW at sales in all 3 of those categories (5 when the base and base AWD come out).

This model has Performance brakes and a second motor that also helps with braking. Also the motor and battery do not overheat like the Model S based on initial reports.

So he is comparing an all-wheel drive vehicle "performance" to an M3? I would argue the only similarities are the M3 sounds like an electric car.

The article is about that car.

Would be interesting to see a M3 vs Model 3 Performance doing a lap round the Nürburgring. It's quite a beating on the suspension, brakes, chassis, engine etc

I want to see that too.

Useless to talk about beating an M3 without mentioning lap times.