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Tesla Model 3 Performance drag races McLaren 570S in impressive 1/4 mile showdown
There is no denying that the Model 3 Performance is quick, especially considering VBOX data validating the car’s 0-60 mph acceleration figures. But the question is, would it be fast enough to beat an actual supercar on the drag strip? Perhaps, even something as daunting as a McLaren 570S?
This was something explored recently by Tesla owner-enthusiast Erik Strait, better known as the host of YouTube’s DÆrik channel. Thanks to a friendly owner in the area, Erik has been able to test out the capabilities of the Model 3 Performance, which adds dual motors and a $5,000 Performance Upgrade package to the base trim, including 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.
Tesla lists the Model 3 Performance with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, which is plenty fast for a high-performance midsize sedan. Erik’s tests have shown that the Model 3 Performance is actually quicker than Tesla’s estimates, with the electric car hitting 60 mph in as low as 3.18 seconds when fully charged. Nevertheless, with a McLaren 570S as its opponent, the cards are stacked against the Model 3 Performance.
McLaren’s supercars are actually embedded in the history of Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk famously buying a McLaren F1 when he made his first millions after selling Zip2, his first company. Musk would later infamously wreck his McLaren F1 in a joyride with Peter Thiel, but the supercar would hold a special place in the Tesla CEO’s heart for years to come. When Musk unveiled the Model S P85D, for example, he made it a point to highlight that the electric car’s 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds is comparable to the acceleration of the supercar.
The 570S is McLaren’s “baby” supercar, slightly less powerful than its flagship vehicles like the 650S but incredibly fast just the same. The 570S is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine making 562 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The car is also fitted with a slick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which helps propel the vehicle from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds. The 570S’ top speed of 204 mph places it beside popular supercars like the Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 Spyder and the Ferrari 488 Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo. Compared to the McLaren 570S, the Model 3 Performance appears completely outclasses, with its dual motors producing a combined 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque and its top speed of 155 mph.
The Model 3 Performance dueled the McLaren 570S twice, and on both times, the electric car left the gas-powered supercar off the line. The Model 3 Performance did get the jump on the 570S to the quarter-mile mark, but stats-wise, Tesla’s electric car fell just around .2 seconds short of the supercar. The Model 3 Performance finished the quarter mile in 11.79 seconds at a speed of 115.18 mph in the first round, which was just slightly lower than the McLaren 570S’ 11.62 seconds and 124 mph. A second race rendered similar results, with the Model 3 Performance finishing the run in 11.79 seconds at 115.35 mph and the 570S completing the run in 11.58 seconds at 125.68 mph.
The Model 3 Performance is not a supercar, both in design and in function. While the McLaren 570S had bad launches on both races, the time differences between the two vehicles’ quarter-mile runs were just way too close. With stickier tires and a possible Ludicrous upgrade in the future, the Model 3 Performance could most certainly establish itself as a force to be reckoned with on the drag strip, just like its two larger siblings — the Model S P100D and the Model X P100D.
Watch the Model 3 Performance stand up to the McLaren 570S in the video below.
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Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
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Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.
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Tesla Full Self-Driving appears to be heading to Europe soon
For years, Musk has said the process for gaining approval in Europe would take significantly more time than it does in the United States. Back in 2019, he predicted it would take six to twelve months to gain approval for Europe, but it has taken much longer.
Tesla Full Self-Driving appears to be heading to Europe soon, especially as the company has continued to expand its testing phases across the continent.
It appears that the effort is getting even bigger, as the company recently posted a job for a Vehicle Operator in Prague, Czech Republic.
This would be the third country the company is seeking a Vehicle Operator in for the European market, joining Germany and Hungary, which already have job postings in Berlin, Prüm, and Budapest, respectively.
🚨Breaking: Tesla is hiring vehicle operators in Prague. pic.twitter.com/CbiJdQLCLj
— Tesla Yoda (@teslayoda) November 19, 2025
This position specifically targets the Engineering and Information Technology departments at Tesla, and not the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence job category that relates to Robotaxi job postings.
Although there has been a posting for Robotaxi Operators in the Eastern Hemisphere, more specifically, Israel, this specific posting has to do with data collection, likely to bolster the company’s position in Europe with FSD.
The job description says:
“We are seeking a highly motivated employee to strengthen our team responsible for vehicle data collection. The Driver/Vehicle Operator position is tasked with capturing high-quality data that contributes to improving our vehicles’ performance. This role requires self-initiative, flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment.”
It also notes the job is for a fixed term of one year.
The position requires operation of a vehicle for data collection within a defined area, and requires the Vehicle Operator to provide feedback to improve data collection processes, analyze and report collected data, and create daily driving reports.
The posting also solidifies the company’s intention to bring its Full Self-Driving platform to Europe in the coming months, something it has worked tirelessly to achieve as it spars with local regulators.
For years, Musk has said the process for gaining approval in Europe would take significantly more time than it does in the United States. Back in 2019, he predicted it would take six to twelve months to gain approval for Europe, but it has taken much longer.
This year, Musk went on to say that the process of getting FSD to move forward has been “very frustrating,” and said it “hurts the safety of the people of Europe.”
Elon Musk clarifies the holdup with Tesla Full Self-Driving launch in Europe
The latest update Musk gave us was in July, when he said that Tesla was awaiting regulatory approval.
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
