Tesla Model 3 Performance takes on BMW M3 Competition in drag race

Tesla’s Model 3 Performance is trying to become the new leader in midsize performance sedans by taking on the longtime reigning champion, the BMW M3.

Now Tesla’s new electric car is going head-on against the BMW M3 Competition in a drag race.

When launching the vehicle, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed the Model 3 Performace is 15% quicker than the BMW M3 and with better handling, and “will beat anything in its class on the track.”

DragTimes put them against each other on the drag strip.

With the competition package, the M3 has a power output very similar to the Model 3 Performance, but the electric vehicle’s instant torque is expected to result in a big advantage in a drag race.

Nonetheless, they tested the cars in two races and here’s the result:

As you can see, the Model 3 Performance won both races by a few car lengths against the BMW M3.

On the VBOX, the Model 3 managed a 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.2 seconds, which owners have been getting consistently despite Tesla advertising 3.5 seconds.

The quarter-mile time came in at 11.7 seconds and 114.5 mph.

If you watch until the end, you also get a bonus race against a $300,000 McLaren 720S, which unsurprisingly didn’t go as well for the Model 3 Performance.

Here are the specs that Dragtimes listed for the Model 3 Performance and the BMW M3 competition:

Electrek’s Take

This is fun and all, but it’s hardly surprising. Putting those cars against each other on the race track would be more exciting than on a straight line.

I just got my own Model 3 Performance and I’ve been testing it on public roads for the past week, but I want to find some time to bring it to a race track or autocross event and report back.

If you guys have any ideas on how we could make this fun and get some good data points, let us know in the comment section below.