Connect with us

Lifestyle

Tesla Model 3 Performance outruns 2018 Chevy Camaro SS in drag race duel

(Photo: SSDracer/YouTube)

Published

on

The Model 3 Performance might be Tesla’s most affordable P-branded vehicle to date, but the electric sedan still packs a lot of firepower. Unlike its more expensive siblings — the Model S P100D and the Model X P100D — the Model 3 Performance does not have a special “Ludicrous Mode” setting that optimizes it for straight-line launches. Instead, the high-performance midsize electric sedan makes do with its raw power.

As previous races involving the Model 3 Performance would show, though, even the raw power from the car’s dual motors is enough to make the vehicle a fierce competitor in quarter-mile races, and even more so in 1/8-mile runs. Thanks to the Model 3 Performance’s dual motors, which produce a combined 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of instant torque, the electric sedan is capable of propelling itself from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds (Tesla’s initial estimates for the vehicle tagged it with a more conservative zero to 60 time of 3.5 seconds).

The raw power of the Model 3 Performance was put on display during a brief drag battle with a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS last month. A video of the race was posted on YouTube by SSDracer (the owner of the Camaro SS), who noted that he and the electric sedan battled it out in a 1/8-mile run. In the video’s description, the Camaro SS owner noted that his muscle car was completely stock during the race, and that he had an extra passenger. Based on the footage of the race, the Model 3 Performance also appeared to be completely stock.

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS is the farthest thing from a slow vehicle. Powered by a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine that produces 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Camaro SS is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat. Just like the Model 3 Performance, the Chevrolet Camaro SS is also equipped with a special Track Mode, which optimizes the vehicle for closed circuit driving. With its Track Mode enabled, Chevrolet’s official website notes that drivers of the Camaro SS would be able to adjust their vehicles’ “suspension, throttle progression, shift feel, steering calibration, exhaust sound, and even available interior spectrum lighting” for the ultimate track experience.

Ultimately, though, even the Camaro SS’ roaring 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine proved inadequate to topple the high-performance electric sedan. Similar to how the Model 3 Performance outran the downright frightening Dodge Demon in a previous 1/8-mile race, the electric car immediately took the lead over the Camaro SS as soon as the race started. The Tesla just continued pulling after that, leaving the muscle car behind.

Advertisement

In the comments section of his video, the Camaro SS owner noted that the Model 3 Performance completed the run in 7.8 seconds, while his vehicle crossed the 1/8-mile mark in 8.4 seconds. Both cars were reportedly traveling at around 91 mph when the race ended. While responding to a commenter who stated that it would have been better if the Camaro SS won, the muscle car owner lightly noted that the results of the race might have been different in the quarter mile, though “AWD is hard to beat.”

The impressive capabilities of the Tesla Model 3 Performance would soon be experienced by Tesla owners beyond North America, as the electric car maker is now pushing to deliver the vehicle to foreign markets. This first quarter, Tesla is aiming to start deliveries of the Model 3 Performance and the Long Range AWD variant to the international market, starting with Europe and China.

Watch the Model 3 Performance’s 1/8-mile duel with a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS in the video below.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Comments

Lifestyle

Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

Published

on

xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

Advertisement

Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

Published

on

Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

Advertisement

Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

Advertisement

In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

Continue Reading

Trending