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Tesla Model 3 shows off cornering prowess in impressive autocross run

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7 years ago

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The Tesla Model 3 recently proved its worth in an autocross course at ZMax Dragway in Charlotte, NC. Despite being completely stock, the vehicle performed admirably during its runs, planting itself on the track and taking advantage of its electric motor’s instant torque to propel itself hard around corners.

In a written communication with Teslarati, Chestley Couch, the owner of the Model 3, stated that the instructor he had with him during his first run was pleasantly surprised at the vehicle’s performance, considering that it was completely stock. Chestley further noted that overall, the Model 3 exhibited similar times around the autocross track as the Subaru BRZ, the Mazda Miata, and the BMW Z3 — cars that he has driven in the past.

The Model 3 had 75% battery when it began its runs, and over the course of five laps around the track, never once did the car lose power, with the vehicle averaging 1480 Wh/mi. During his entire autocross session, Chestley noted that he did not even hear the Model 3’s cooling fans kick in at all. Responding to a comment on YouTube, the Tesla owner stated that the electric car “could have run all day.”

If there’s one point of improvement that could be seen in the video of the Model 3’s autocross run, it was the fact that the vehicle exhibited some understeer at the most challenging parts of the track. Tire noise was also audible as the electric car was pushed from one corner to the next. As noted by Chestley, however, this could partly be due to the fact that he used the 18-inch OEM tires that his Model 3 came with. With a better set of tires, such as the 19-inch or 20-inch Sport Wheels that Tesla offers, the Model 3 could have performed better.

Overall, Chestley was thoroughly impressed with his Model 3’s autocross course performance. The Model 3 owner noted that he believes the upcoming dual-motor AWD variant will be even more impressive in autocross events, and that there’s a good chance the compact electric car would be the vehicle of choice for those who would like to take their Teslas to the track for some spirited driving.

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“Not having to shift gears and the instant torque  were a huge advantage in the turns. The AWD version  will be very competitive. The (Model) 3 is a blast to drive. Where the Model S is more of a cruiser, I think you see a lot more people racing Model 3s when they become more common,” Chestley wrote.

The Model 3’s recent autocross run at Charlotte, NC stands as yet another notable example of the electric car’s capability to be driven hard for extended periods of time. Last March, we reported on a Tesla owner driving his mostly stock Model 3 for several laps at the Laguna Seca Raceway, in what could very well be the first real-world high-performance test of the vehicle. Just like Chestley’s experience in the autocross course, the Model 3 lasted the entire racing session at Laguna Seca without limiting its power.

Prior to the Model 3, Tesla’s cars such as the Model S have exhibited tendencies to limit their power and speed when driven hard on a track. As noted by professional race car driver Robb Holland when he took the full-sized sedan around 12.9-mile Nurburgring, the Model S’s track performance gets compromised by its software, which protects the car’s batteries from generating too much heat.

Check out the Tesla Model 3’s autocross course run in the video below.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

2 months ago

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March 6, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

3 months ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

3 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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