Tracking A Tesla Model 3 Is Not What You Would Expect

By Daud Gonzalez - July 25, 2019

Does anybody in their right mind buy a Tesla Model 3 as a track car?

People have been hyping up the Tesla Model 3 since it came out in 2016. Obviously, people had heard about how cool and revolutionary the Model S had been, and they wanted to experience it for themselves. However, the Tesla Model S, in its most potent P100D form, but the price point was restrictive for a lot of buyers. That’s when Tesla responded with a $35,000 dollar model and people got excited fast. There were almost half a million reservations for the car by 2017 and Tesla couldn’t keep up with the demand if they wanted to, however, it still managed to become the best selling plug-in electric in the United States.

Now, think of all the reasons people buy Teslas. They buy them for the fuel economy, for the image, for the brand, and for the environment, some say. What definitely doesn’t come to mind when you think of a Tesla is its on-track driving potential. Thankfully, Zack Klapman over at TheSmokingTire YouTube channel let’s us know whats up with Model 3 on track.

Tracking A Tesla Model 3 Is Not What You Would Expect

Now, you might think this is the new Model 3 Performance that makes 450 HP, is faster than a BMW M3, etc, but you’re wrong. This is a base model “Standard” Model 3, with no extra frills or speed hacks. Lets see what it can throw down at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

According to Klapman, the first thing he notices is that the car’s steering feel is better than any BMW on market today, sans the M-model cars, including the M340i. That is a bold and impressive statement.

Tracking A Tesla Model 3 Is Not What You Would Expect

We can see that Klapman is having no problem getting the car up to 120+ mph on the front straight (which if you didn’t know is a NASCAR oval). He also lets us know that even without removing the traction control or any form of stability control, the Tesla is not too intrusive on track and rarely cuts power from the driver. He elaborates that while the car is not particularly fast, it is torquey and makes enough to hustle around.

So although the Tesla might not give us the visceral experience a Ferrari with a screaming V8 might, we wouldn’t call it “boring” on track. Some sensory pleasure might be removed, but the driving dynamics are good and that might a lot of people to know if they ever decide to track their Tesla Model 3s.