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Tesla Model 3 drag races Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in tense 1/4-mile battle

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7 years ago

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A Tesla Model 3 equipped with range-saving Aero Wheels recently battled an all-American muscle car — the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. In a standing quarter-mile race, the Long Range RWD Model 3 proved that while it does not have the brutal acceleration of the Model S P100D or the optimized setup of the Model 3 Performance, it still has enough power to make a strong impression on the drag strip.

During the unveiling of the Model 3 back in 2016, Elon Musk remarked that Tesla does not make slow cars. Tesla’s official figures for the single motor Model 3 are quite conservative, with the vehicle having a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph. Despite this, however, the all-electric sedan has been steadily gaining some reputation on the track, with the vehicle being able to run hot laps around the famed Laguna Seca Raceway and beating a Porsche to take the winner’s circle in a Time Attack event.

On paper, the race between the Model 3 and the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is the very definition of a bout between past and present. The Firebird Trans Am, after all, is one of the most recognizable muscle cars ever made. Designed to be a competitor to the ubiquitous Ford Mustang, the Firebird Trans Am became iconic due to its sleek lines, long sloping hood, and its wedge-shaped profile. The specific trim of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am on the race against the Model 3 was not specified by Drag Racing and Car Stuff, the YouTube channel that uploaded the run, but based on its design, the vehicle appeared to be a refreshed 4th generation model, which was produced from 1998-2002.

Power-wise, the 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was equipped with a hefty 5.7 L (347.8 cu in) LS1 V8 engine that produced 305 bhp (1998-2000), or 310 bhp (2001-2002). During the 1998-2000 era, the Firebird Trans Am was listed with a 6.1-second 0-60 mph time and a top speed of 160 mph. During the final two years of its production, the Trans Am was listed with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph. These were the last Pontiac Firebird Trans Am to be made before GM stopped production of the vehicle. GM eventually opted to discontinue the Pontiac brand altogether, but rumors over the years have been emerging that the Firebird Trans Am line will be resurrected in the near future.

So what happens when the Long Range RWD Model 3 clashes with one of the Firebird Trans Am? Off the line, the Model 3 immediately gained a lead, thanks to the instant torque provided by its rear electric motor. Midway through the run, the Pontiac Firebird found its footing, and it started gaining on the Model 3. Unfortunately for the muscle car, it was a little bit too late, as the Model 3 crossed the finish line soon after.

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The race ended with the Long Range RWD Model 3 hitting the quarter-mile mark in 13.68 seconds while traveling at 101.83 mph. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, on the other hand, finished the race in 13.74 seconds while running at 111.85 mph.

Considering that Tesla is now producing the Model 3 Performance, it would likely not be long before the drag strip welcomes the electric car as its next formidable challenger. With a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph thanks to its two electric motors, the Model 3 Performance would likely make an impact on both the track and the drag strip.

Watch the Tesla Model 3 battle the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 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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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 6, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

2 months ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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