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Tesla Model 3 Performance 0-60 mph put to the test in latest acceleration run

[Credit: DÆrik/YouTube]

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Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Performance is marketed as an electric car that is quick, nimble, and capable of dominating track legends such as the BMW M3 and Porsche Boxster. With a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, the Model 3 Performance packs some serious speed, thanks to its dual electric motors that feature a combined 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque. 

Tesla owner-enthusiast DÆrik of YouTube, who is known for installing a life-size working Supercharger for his Model S in his garage, was able to borrow one of the first Model 3 Performance units in Colorado. The YouTube host noted that the carbon fiber rear spoiler of the vehicle, as well as its underlined Dual Motor badge, have not been fitted on the electric car yet.

DaÆrik’s 0-60 mph tests of the Model 3 Performance were conducted from a dead stop with the vehicle’s battery having 220 miles of range left. The first launch was immediately impressive, with the electric car hitting 60 mph in 3.22 seconds. The second launch was even better, with the Model 3 Performance doing the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.15 seconds. This time around, the Model S owner opted to push the car further, hitting 90 mph in 6.28 seconds. DÆrik noted that he was able to get the numbers of the two 0-60 mph runs by starting the video clip at 0 mph, ending it at 60 mph, and measuring the section frame-by-frame in Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

The Model 3 Performance has been earning much praise from professional auto reviewers such as Dan Neil of the Wall Street Journal, who lauded the car as a “magnificent” piece of automotive engineering that is “representative of the next step in the history of autos.” Other reviewers from Motor Trend and CNET Roadshow also praised the vehicle for its quickness and performance. While test drives of the Model 3 Performance reveal that the vehicle already has impressive acceleration, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the electric car could get even faster with a wider set of rear wheels and tires.

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In an announcement on Twitter, Musk noted that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires the Model 3 Performance come equipped with are maximized for a balance of range and performance. For those who do not mind sacrificing a little range in exchange for raw power, Musk advised that stickier and wider tires at the rear might lower the car’s 0-60 mph time to 3.3 seconds.

The Model 3 Performance starts at $64,000 before any options. Buyers of the electric car can add on Tesla’s Performance Package, a $5,000 upgrade that includes 20″ Performance Wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, aluminum alloy pedals, and a top speed boost that enables the electric car to max out at 155 mph. With all options including White Seats, premium paint, Enhanced Autopilot, and Full Self-Driving, the cost of the Model 3 Performance rounds out at $80,000, which is far more than the $35,000 price of the Standard Range RWD Model 3 but more affordable than comparable ICE-powered high-performance cars in its class, such as the BMW M3, Audi RS5, and the Mercedes AMG C 63 S Coupe, which can cost north of $100,000 with all options.

Watch DaÆrik’s 0-60 mph tests of the Model 3 Performance 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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Elon Musk doubles down on Tesla Cybercab timeline once again

“Cybercab, which has no pedals or steering wheel, starts production in April,” Musk said.

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Credit: @JT59052914/X

CEO Elon Musk doubled down once again on the timeline of production for the Tesla Cybercab, marking yet another example of the confidence he has in the company’s ability to meet the aggressive timeline for the vehicle.

It is the third time in the past six months that Musk has explicitly stated Cybercab will enter production in April 2026.

On Monday morning, Musk reiterated that Cybercab will enter its initial manufacturing phase in April, and that it would not have any pedals or a steering wheel, two things that have been speculated as potential elements of the vehicle, if needed.

Musk has been known to be aggressive with timelines, and some products have been teased for years and years before they finally come to fruition.

One of perhaps the biggest complaints about Musk is the fact that Tesla does not normally reach the deadlines that are set: the Roadster, Semi, and Unsupervised Full Self-Driving suite are a few of those that have been given “end of this year” timelines, but have not been fulfilled.

Nevertheless, many are able to look past this as part of the process. New technology takes time to develop, but we’d rather not hear about when, and just the progress itself.

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However, the Cybercab is a bit different. Musk has said three times in the past six months that Cybercab will be built in April, and this is something that is sort of out of the ordinary for him.

In December 2025, he said that Tesla was “testing the production system” of the vehicle and that “real production ramp starts in April.

Elon Musk shares incredible detail about Tesla Cybercab efficiency

On January 23, he said that “Cybercab production starts in April.” He did the same on February 16, marking yet another occasion that Musk has his sights set on April for initial production of the vehicle.

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Musk has also tempered expectations for the Cybercab’s initial production phase. In January, he noted that Cybercab would be subjected to the S-curve-type production speed:

“…initial production is always very slow and follows an S-curve. The speed of production ramp is inversely proportionate to how many new parts and steps there are. For Cybercab and Optimus, almost everything is new, so the early production rate will be agonizingly slow, but eventually end up being insanely fast.”

Cybercab will be a huge part of Tesla’s autonomous ride-sharing plans moving forward.

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Tesla owners explore potential FSD pricing options as uncertainty looms

We asked Tesla owners what the company should price Full Self-Driving moving forward, as now it’s going to be subscription-based. There were some interesting proposals.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is starting the process of removing the ability to purchase the Full Self-Driving suite outright, as it pulled the purchase option in the United States over the weekend.

However, there has been some indication by CEO Elon Musk that the price of the subscription will increase as the suite becomes more robust. But Tesla finds itself in an interesting situation with this: the take rate for Full Self-Driving at $99 per month is about 12 percent, and Musk needs a significant increase in this rate to reach a tranche in his new compensation package.

This leaves Tesla and owners in their own respective limbos: Tesla needs to find a price that will incentivize consumers to use FSD, while owners need Tesla to offer something that is attractive price-wise.

We asked Tesla owners what the company should price Full Self-Driving moving forward, as now it’s going to be subscription-based. There were some interesting proposals.

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Price Reduction

Although people are willing to pay the $99 per month for the FSD suite, it certainly is too high for some owners. Many suggested that if Tesla would back down the price to $49, or somewhere around that region, many owners would immediately subscribe.

Others suggested $69, which would make a lot of sense considering Musk’s obsession with that number.

Different Pricing for Supervised and Unsupervised

With the release of the Unsupervised version of Full Self-Driving, Tesla has a unique opportunity to offer pricing for different attention level requirements.

Unsupervised Full Self-Driving would be significantly more expensive, but not needed by everyone. Many people indicate they would still like to drive their cars manually from time to time, but others said they’d just simply be more than okay with only having Supervised FSD available in their cars.

Time-Based Pricing

Tesla could price FSD on a duration-based pricing model, including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual rates, which would incentivize longer durations with better pricing.

Annually, the rate could be $999 per year, while Monthly would stay at $99. However, a Daily pass of FSD would cost somewhere around $10, while a $30 per week cost seems to be ideal.

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These all seem to be in line with what consumers might want. However, Tesla’s attitude with FSD is that it is the future of transportation, and with it offering only a Monthly option currently, it does not seem as if it will look as short-term as a Daily pass.

Tiered Pricing

This is perhaps the most popular option, according to what we’ve seen in comments and replies.

This would be a way to allow owners to pick and choose which FSD features they would like most and pay for them. The more features available to you, the more it costs.

For example, if someone only wanted Supervised driving and Autopark, it could be priced at $50 per month. Add in Summon, it could be $75.

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This would allow people to pick only the features they would use daily.

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Tesla leaves a single loophole to purchase Full Self-Driving outright

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has left a single loophole to purchase Full Self-Driving outright. On Sunday, the option officially disappeared from the Online Design Studio in the United States, as Tesla transitioned to a Subscription-only purchasing plan for the FSD suite.

However, there is still one way to get the Full Self-Driving suite in an outright manner, which would not require the vehicle owner to pay monthly for the driver assistance program — but you have to buy a Model S or Model X.

Months ago, Tesla launched a special “Luxe Package” for the Model S and Model X, which included Full Self-Driving for the life of the vehicle, as well as free Supercharging at over 75,000 locations, as well as free Premium Connectivity, and a Four-Year Premium Service package, which includes wheel and tire protection, windshiel protection, and recommended maintenance.

It would also be available through the purchase of a Cyberbeast, the top trim of the Cybertruck lineup.

This small loophole would allow owners to avoid the monthly payment, but there have been some changes in the fine print of the program, as Tesla has added that it will not be transferable to subsequent vehicle owners or to another vehicle.

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This goes for the FSD and the Supercharging offers that come with the Luxe Package.

For now, Tesla still has the Full Self-Driving subscription priced at $99 per month. However, that price is expected to increase over the course of some time, especially as its capabilities improve. Tesla seems to be nearing Unsupervised FSD based on Musk’s estimates for the Cybercab program.

There is the potential that Tesla offers both Unsupervised and Supervised FSD for varying prices, but this is not confirmed.

In other countries, Tesla has pushed back the deadline to purchase the suite outright, as in Australia, it has been adjusted to March 31.

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