

Lifestyle
Tesla Model 3 Performance stealthily destroys Ford Mustang GT in drag race
The Model 3 Performance is quite unique among Tesla’s current vehicles in the way that it can handle the demands of track driving without throttling its output after a few laps. With its Track Mode activated, the Model 3 Performance becomes a monster in a closed course, capable of competing against the auto industry’s best track-capable high-performance sedans like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
While the Model 3 Performance is notable for its drifting and cornering prowess, though, the vehicle is still capable of impressive straight-line acceleration, similar to the electric sedan’s more pricey siblings — the Model S P100D and the Model X P100D. Tesla did not equip the Model 3 Performance with a feature like Ludicrous Mode, but the vehicle’s dual electric motors that produce a combined 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque are enough to propel the vehicle from 0-60 in just 3.3 seconds nonetheless (Tesla’s initial estimates listed the Model 3 Performance with a 3.5-second 0-60 mph time). That’s still very impressive, especially for an electric car pushing itself on raw power.
Tesla has now reached a point where it could produce the Model 3 en masse. North America, for one, has been saturated by Model 3 for months, as the electric car maker ramped production of the vehicle in its Fremont, CA factory. With more Model 3 on the road, it is no surprise that videos of the vehicle racing on the quarter-mile are starting to become prevalent on video sharing platforms such as YouTube. As it turns out, the Model 3 Performance is just like its more expensive siblings — it loves dominating fossil fuel-powered cars on the 1/8 and 1/4 mile.
One such video, uploaded by Vivianna Van Deerlin, featured a Model 3 Performance battling what appeared to be a 5th-generation Ford Mustang GT 5.0 at the Atco Dragway in NJ. The Mustang is one of Ford’s most notable creations, and for good reason. The Mustang GT, for one, is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 420 hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque. During Motor Trend‘s tests of the vehicle, the publication listed the muscle car with a 4.3-second 0-60 mph time and a quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds.
Inasmuch as the Mustang GT has a lot of automotive history behind it, though, the winner of its quarter-mile race against the Model 3 Performance was evident as soon as the race started. Propelled by the instant torque from its dual electric motors, the high-performance electric sedan from Silicon Valley immediately took the lead over the muscle car from Detroit. Unfortunately for the Mustang, the Model 3 just kept pulling until the end of the race.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance ultimately completed the quarter mile in 11.863 seconds while traveling at 114.02 mph. The Ford Mustang GT 5.0, on the other hand, was able to cross the quarter-mile mark in 12.452 seconds at 114.32 mph. That’s a difference of 0.589 seconds between the electric vehicle and the muscle car.
Thanks to its prowess in both straight line races and closed circuit courses, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is starting to attract some veteran “car guys.” Among the most notable ones is racecar driver and automotive news reporter Henry Payne. A true-blooded car enthusiast and a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, Payne knows cars inside out, having raced innumerable automobiles around racetracks for years. Payne owns a Model 3, and despite his vehicle being a non-Performance vehicle (he owns a Long Range RWD version), he has nonetheless stated that he is impressed with the vehicle’s track and overall capabilities.
Just how impressed? Enough to dub the Tesla Model 3 as The Detroit News‘ 2018 Car of the Year.
Watch the Tesla Model 3 Performance battle the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 in the video below.
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.

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.”
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.
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!”
Elon Musk
X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
A Near Fall
During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.
Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.
X User to the Rescue
It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.
Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
Not Planned, But Welcomed
The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump.
“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail.
A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.
Charging Charger Fails
As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.
Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.
Alleged Aftermath
As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.
The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.
-
Elon Musk6 days ago
Waymo responds to Tesla’s Robotaxi expansion in Austin with bold statement
-
News6 days ago
Tesla exec hints at useful and potentially killer Model Y L feature
-
Elon Musk7 days ago
Elon Musk reveals SpaceX’s target for Starship’s 10th launch
-
Elon Musk1 week ago
Tesla ups Robotaxi fare price to another comical figure with service area expansion
-
News6 days ago
Tesla’s longer Model Y did not scale back requests for this vehicle type from fans
-
News6 days ago
“Worthy of respect:” Six-seat Model Y L acknowledged by Tesla China’s biggest rivals
-
News1 week ago
First glimpse of Tesla Model Y with six seats and extended wheelbase
-
Elon Musk7 days ago
Elon Musk confirms Tesla is already rolling out a new feature for in-car Grok