Can the Tesla Model 3 Performance cut it as a track day car?

We all know electric cars can go fast in a straight line but what happens when we take them to the track?

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance has crazy specs (3.2s, 261km/h, 460hp AWD, 723Nm, upgraded brakes and tyres) that, on paper makes it a dream track day car but is it?

We went to Sepang International Circuit to find out and the results was... confusing.

#tesla #teslamodel3 #teslaracing #electriccar #trackday #automobile #racing

[tfsidsg]

You are confused. Let me explain.

1. EV batteries work the same way when discharging as they do when charging. In your first session the car worked very well for you. You kept full power throughout the first run with no de-rating but in the final session you went into the red very quickly when the battery was at a low state of charge. Its the inverse of when you are charging it, you can have super high 250kw charging in the beginning, but it slows right down as the battery gets full. Teslas are conservative on how hard they push their batteries which is why early model 3 being driven as ubers are reporting well over 700, 000km mileages on their original batteries. On the other hand Porsches and Hyundais push their batteries hard in other to generate sales. You can read online how badly their batteries are doing now.

Lets put it into perspective though. The current Honda civic type R cannot do more than one lap without overheating in Sepang.

2. Your praise of the Pirelli tyres in the first session was premature. They are EV specific tyres designed to be quiet and economical with long life. The punishment you put them through cooked them for good. This is partly why you spun 5 times afterwards.

3. The Tesla brake warning is algorithm based. It doesn't have a temperature sensor. Basically, its giving you advice to cool it based on its observations of your recent use. It's a great safety feature that other makes should adopt. But they won't because they don't have the technology.

4. You were braking ridiculously late and just abusing the brakes. In your first session you mentioned braking at 100m at turn 1. If you were experienced at all you would know how ridiculous it is to do that in a 1800kg, 460hp road car on stock brakes and fluid with stock EV based tyres. Luckily for everyone it didnt result in any accidents.

Nevertheless it was enjoyable to watch the video. Your opinion that its better than a Audi RS Etron GT is high praise considering that car has a list price of over 3x the Tesla. Its also not surprising as the Tesla weighs 400 to 500kg less than any other EV 4 door of comparable performance.

[reezarashid]

Thanks for featuring my comment on the video Amin.. glad u had fun bro.
Not a performance car.. but a damn fast EV.

[gbhall]

Really loved this video 🙌 Thank you. You offered a unique perspective - and I’ve watched A LOT of Model 3 Performance videos! Picking up mine in a weeks time! It just arrived today from China and the ship is docked here in Perth. Thanks again 🙏🙌

[fung]

Did you guys do this before Tesla updated the software with Endurance Mode?

[yksimtoo]

Your screen in the 1st session when you had a good run seemed to suggest that the car was not in track mode. In the later session when you spun off several times, the screen indicated that you were in track mode. Could that be the cause of the "unpredictable" car behaviour that you experienced in the later sessions? FYI we can edit the parameters of the custom user settings for track mode without being in track mode and it looked like that was what you did in the 1st session when you tweaked to rear wheel bias from +3 to +5 at the 13:19 mark of the video. Regardless, I enjoyed the video tremendously, please keep them coming!

[GrandSavrify]

Thanks for testing and reviewing the Tesla model 3 performance, I liked this car and plan of getting one, always wonder how it would perform in track compared to ICE cars, now we got the answer, nevertheless, it is still a great daily fast car with low maintenance

[stevenlee]

the frameless window one of the worst in teslas apart from the glass roof thats prone to cracks. From time to time you need to order for the windows to be realigned, if you close the door with a misaligned window, it will crack.

[breakthroughxx]

Regen should not be 0, should be 100 to minimise brake fade

[novilim]

you sure you got into the podium before? the way your hands handling the steering wheel is just awful, positioning is totally wrong.

[pierreye]

Are you on latest software update? I got it few days back that enable powertrain endurance mode. It'll help to reduce the overheating issue on motor at the expense of slightly reduce power. Brake issue looks like need upgrade to bigger disc and better compound.

[evmechanic]

Should change the name to Tesla Model 3 Not So Performance...

[JonDa]

You cannot get a 911 with 250K... be realistic.!! It is still merely an American traffic light showoff car. But then again in Malaysia the motorbikes dominate the traffic lights. In conclusion, it is a pointless. If you want a Tesla, Model 3 LR is the model to go. Efficiency and 0-100 in 4.5. Save up the rest for a proper sports car

[arthemist]

this is not the way ... tesla failed on sepang track but it was really perform in nurburgring . 😆