News
Watch Tesla’s Model 3 spank the BMW M3 in head-to-head track test (VIDEO)
Popular auto magazine Top Gear recently published its most daring cover in years, declaring in boldface lettering that “Electric Beats Petrol.” Two high-performance sedans dominated the cover: the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the BMW M3, both of which represent the best that their class of vehicles has to offer. The publication has now released footage of the two cars’ tests, showing, in their full electric vs. petrol glory, just how much the Model 3 practically spanked the BMW M3.
The recently uploaded video covered the four tests that the Model 3 Performance and the M3 were subjected to. Both vehicles were driven by veteran auto journalist Jack Rix (who admits that he is not a professional racing driver, thereby representing the majority of people who own the two high-performance sedans), who took the Model 3 and the M3 around the Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, CA. It should be noted that the BMW M3 that Top Gear utilized for its tests was not equipped with the Competition package, to make the prices of the two cars line up better.
The two vehicles being subjected to a classic quarter-mile drag race, a 0-100-0 mph brake test, a time attack challenge around the Thunderhill track, and a drifting test. The drag race between the Model 3 and the M3 was not even a competition, with the all-electric sedan leaving the internal combustion-powered BMW in the dust. The Model 3 Performance finished the drag race in 11.9 seconds at 112.6 mph, significantly faster than the BMW M3’s 119.1 mph and 12.6-second time. The 0-100-0 mph braking test ended in a similar fashion, with the Tesla Model 3 drawing blood once more with 13.1 seconds compared to the BMW M3’s 13.8 seconds.
The main event of the magazine’s test was a hot lap around Thunderhill. The Top Gear journalist utilized Track Mode for the Model 3, allowing him to maneuver the rather heavy vehicle around the race course’s corners. The Model 3 Performance ultimately completed a lap around the track in 1:34.07. The BMW M3 roared through the closed circuit, and though the vehicle weighed considerably less than the Model 3, the German high-performance sedan completed the lap in 1:35.96.
The BMW did shine against the Model 3 in Top Gear‘s drifting test, as the M3 was dubbed by the veteran journalist as the more fun car to throw around the track’s corners. Despite this win, the test still ended with the Tesla Model 3 getting three wins out of four against the BMW M3. In conclusion, the journalist notes that between the two vehicles, the Model 3 is superior in many fronts, though he would still take the BMW M3 around a track due to its nimble characteristics. Nevertheless, the Model 3’s capability to tear up a closed circuit and remain refined enough on the road is something that is remarkable.
While the conclusions of Top Gear‘s head-to-head test between the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the BMW M3 are bound to be polarizing, the all-electric sedan’s wins against the internal combustion champion stand as a pivotal moment for auto enthusiasts. Gone are the days when electric cars are slow and unattractive, and gone are the days when even premium EVs can’t even make it around a track without throttling their power. Tesla has leveled the playing field with the Model 3 Performance, and as these tests show, the plain superiority of electric propulsion is now starting to become quite evident.
Watch the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the BMW M3 battle it out in four tests in the video below.
Elon Musk
GM CEO Mary Barra says she told Biden to give Tesla and Musk EV credit
“He was crediting me, and I said, ‘Actually, I think a lot of that credit goes to Elon and Tesla…You know me, Andrew. I don’t want to take credit for things.”
General Motors CEO Mary Barra said in a new interview on Wednesday that she told President Joe Biden to credit Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for the widespread electric vehicle transition.
She said she told Biden this after the former President credited her and GM for leading EV efforts in the United States.
During an interview at the New York Times Dealbook Summit with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Barra said she told Biden that crediting her was essentially a mistake, and that Musk and Tesla should have been explicitly mentioned (via Business Insider):
“He was crediting me, and I said, ‘Actually, I think a lot of that credit goes to Elon and Tesla…You know me, Andrew. I don’t want to take credit for things.”
GM CEO Mary Barra said to Andrew Sorkin at the New York Times Dealbook Summit that she pulled President Biden aside and said Tesla CEO @elonmusk deserved the credit for EVs:
“He was crediting me, and I said, ‘Actually, I think a lot of that credit goes to Elon and Tesla,'” Barra… pic.twitter.com/OHBTG1QfbJ
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) December 3, 2025
Back in 2021, President Biden visited GM’s “Factory Zero” plant in Detroit, which was the centerpiece of the company’s massive transition to EVs. The former President went on to discuss the EV industry, and claimed that GM and Barra were the true leaders who caused the change:
“In the auto industry, Detroit is leading the world in electric vehicles. You know how critical it is? Mary, I remember talking to you way back in January about the need for America to lead in electric vehicles. I can remember your dramatic announcement that by 2035, GM would be 100% electric. You changed the whole story, Mary. You did, Mary. You electrified the entire automotive industry. I’m serious. You led, and it matters.”
People were baffled by the President’s decision to highlight GM and Barra, and not Tesla and Musk, who truly started the transition to EVs. GM, Ford, and many other companies only followed in the footsteps of Tesla after it started to take market share from them.
Elon Musk and Tesla try to save legacy automakers from Déjà vu
Musk would eventually go on to talk about Biden’s words later on:
“They have so much power over the White House that they can exclude Tesla from an EV Summit. And, in case the first thing, in case that wasn’t enough, then you have President Biden with Mary Barra at a subsequent event, congratulating Mary for having led the EV revolution.”
In Q4 2021, which was shortly after Biden’s comments, Tesla delivered 300,000 EVs. GM delivered just 26.
News
Tesla Full Self-Driving shows confident navigation in heavy snow
So far, from what we’ve seen, snow has not been a huge issue for the most recent Full Self-Driving release. It seems to be acting confidently and handling even snow-covered roads with relative ease.
Tesla Full Self-Driving is getting its first taste of Winter weather for late 2025, as snow is starting to fall all across the United States.
The suite has been vastly improved after Tesla released v14 to many owners with capable hardware, and driving performance, along with overall behavior, has really been something to admire. This is by far the best version of FSD Tesla has ever released, and although there are a handful of regressions with each subsequent release, they are usually cleared up within a week or two.
Tesla is releasing a modified version of FSD v14 for Hardware 3 owners: here’s when
However, adverse weather conditions are something that Tesla will have to confront, as heavy rain, snow, and other interesting situations are bound to occur. In order for the vehicles to be fully autonomous, they will have to go through these scenarios safely and accurately.
One big issue I’ve had, especially in heavy rain, is that the camera vision might be obstructed, which will display messages that certain features’ performance might be degraded.
So far, from what we’ve seen, snow has not been a huge issue for the most recent Full Self-Driving release. It seems to be acting confidently and handling even snow-covered roads with relative ease:
FSD 14.1.4 snow storm Ontario Canada pic.twitter.com/jwK1dLYT0w
— Everything AI (@mrteslaspace) November 17, 2025
I found the steepest, unplowed hill in my area and tested the following:
• FSD 14.2.1 on summer tires
• FSD 14.2.1 on winter tires
• Manual drivingBut I think the most impressive part was how FSD went DOWN the hill. FSD in the snow is sublime $TSLA pic.twitter.com/YMcN7Br3PU
— Dillon Loomis (@DillonLoomis) December 2, 2025
Well.. I couldn’t let the boys have all the fun!
Threw the GoPro up and decided to FSD v14.2.1 in the snow. Roads were not compacted like the other day, a little slippery, but overall doable at lower speeds. Enjoy the video and holiday music 🎶
Liked:
Took turns super slow… pic.twitter.com/rIAIeh3Zu3— 🦋Diana🦋 (@99_Colorado) December 3, 2025
Moving into the winter months, it will be very interesting to see how FSD handles even more concerning conditions, especially with black ice, freezing rain and snow mix, and other things that happen during colder conditions.
We are excited to test it ourselves, but I am waiting for heavy snowfall to make it to Pennsylvania so I can truly push it to the limit.
News
Tesla hosts Rome Mayor for first Italian FSD Supervised road demo
The event marked the first time an Italian mayor tested the advanced driver-assistance system in person in Rome’s urban streets.
Tesla definitely seems to be actively engaging European officials on FSD’s capabilities, with the company hosting Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Mobility Assessor Eugenio Patanè for a hands-on road demonstration.
The event marked the first time an Italian mayor tested the advanced driver-assistance system in person in Rome’s urban streets. This comes amid Tesla’s push for FSD’s EU regulatory approvals in the coming year.
Rome officials experience FSD Supervised
Tesla conducted the demo using a Model 3 equipped with Full Self-Driving (Supervised), tackling typical Roman traffic including complex intersections, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and mixed users like cars, bikes and scooters.
The system showcased AI-based assisted driving, prioritizing safety while maintaining flow. FSD also handled overtakes and lane decisions, though with constant driver supervision.
Investor Andrea Stroppa detailed the event on X, noting the system’s potential to reduce severe collision risks by up to seven times compared to traditional driving, based on Tesla’s data from billions of global fleet miles. The session highlighted FSD’s role as an assistance tool in its Supervised form, not a replacement, with the driver fully responsible at all times.
Path to European rollout
Tesla has logged over 1 million kilometers of testing across 17 European countries, including Italy, to refine FSD for local conditions. The fact that Rome officials personally tested FSD Supervised bodes well for the program’s approval, as it suggests that key individuals are closely watching Tesla’s efforts and innovations.
Assessor Patanè also highlighted the administration’s interest in technologies that boost road safety and urban travel quality, viewing them as aids for both private and public transport while respecting rules.
Replies on X urged involving Italy’s Transport Ministry to speed approvals, with one user noting, “Great idea to involve the mayor! It would be necessary to involve components of the Ministry of Transport and the government as soon as possible: it’s they who can accelerate the approval of FSD in Italy.”
GM CEO Mary Barra says she told Biden to give Tesla and Musk EV credit
Tesla Full Self-Driving shows confident navigation in heavy snow
