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Tesla Model 3 battles Toyota Supra, Audi e-tron, and Jaguar I-PACE in 4-way bout

(Credit: carwow/YouTube)

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A Tesla Model 3 was recently involved in a four-way battle that featured two premium electric vehicles and one of the most interesting sports cars to come out of Japan in years — the Toyota Supra. Through a drag race, a rolling race, and a braking test, the Model 3 proved that it takes far more than a bigger battery pack and a lighter overall weight to take down a four-door family sedan from Silicon Valley. 

The four-way battle was conducted by UK-based auto group carwow, which previously listed the Model 3 as the best EV buyers can purchase today due to its tech, quality, and driving dynamics. As noted by carwow host Mat Watson, each vehicle in the test brings something interesting to the table. 

The Jaguar I-PACE EV400, a premium crossover SUV, is a very quick vehicle, with a 90 kWh battery pack, 400 hp, 700 Nm of torque, and dual motor AWD. For its size, the Jaguar I-PACE is quite heavy at around 2.2 tons (4,400 lbs). The Audi e-tron 55 is the largest car of the bunch, with its 95 kWh battery, 406 hp, 664 Nm of torque, dual motors AWD, and a weight of about 2.5 tons (5,000 lbs).

In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is equipped with a 75 kWh battery pack, 450 hp, 640 Nm of torque, dual-motor AWD, and a pretty balanced weight of about 1.8 tons (3,600 lbs). The Toyota Supra, the only vehicle in the group equipped with an internal combustion engine, is fitted with 3.0-liter straight-six turbo from BMW with 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Unlike its electric challengers, the Supra is Rear-Wheel Drive. It’s also the lightest at just around 1,560 kg (3,400 lbs). 

The four vehicles were subjected to three tests: a classic quarter-mile drag race, a rolling race from 50 mph, and a brake test from 70 mph. The results of the quarter-mile race proved favorable to the Model 3 Performance, as the vehicle was able to cross the finish line in 11.8 seconds. The Tesla was followed by the Jaguar I-PACE, which finished the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds; the Toyota Supra, which completed the race in 12.8 seconds; and finally, the Audi e-tron, which took 13.5 seconds to finish the run. 

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The Tesla Model 3 almost seemed a class above its competitors in the 50 mph rolling race. The Model 3 Performance simply pulled ahead, followed by the Jaguar I-PACE. Unfortunately for the Jaguar, the Supra eventually caught it at 128mph, though the Japanese sports car still couldn’t catch the Tesla. Similar to the previous race, the Audi e-tron came last.

Perhaps most surprising were the results of the braking test. Despite being the lightest car in the group, the Toyota Supra only came second to the Tesla Model 3 Performance. Quite surprisingly, the Audi e-tron performed very well in the braking test despite its heft, beating the lighter Jaguar I-PACE and stopping only a few feet beyond the Supra.

What’s impressive about the results of carwow‘s test is that the Tesla Model 3 Performance is actually the most affordable car of the bunch at just around GBP 50,000 ($61,400 in the UK). For comparison, the Toyota Supra is sold in the UK at around GBP 52,000 ($65,000), the Jaguar I-PACE is priced at around GBP 64,000 ($78,600), and the Audi e-tron is priced at a premium GBP 70,000 ($85,900). 

Watch carwow‘s four-way battle featuring the Tesla Model 3, the Toyota Supra, the Jaguar I-PACE, and the Audi e-tron 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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Tesla Model S Plaid battles China’s 1500 hp monster Nurburgring monster, with surprising results

There is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.

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Credit: Carwow/YouTube

The Tesla Model S Plaid has been around for some time. Today, it is no longer the world’s quickest four-door electric sedan, nor is it the most powerful. As per a recent video from motoring YouTube channel Carwow, however, it seems like the Model S Plaid is still more than a match for some of its newer and more powerful rivals. 

The monster from China

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is nothing short of a monster. Just like the Model S Plaid, it features three motors. It also has 1,548 hp and 1,770 Nm of torque. It’s All Wheel Drive and weighs a hefty 2,360 kg. The vehicle, which costs just about the equivalent of £55,000, has been recorded setting an insane 7:04.957 at the Nurburgring, surpassing the previous record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

For all intents and purposes, the Model S Plaid looked outgunned in Carwow’s test. The Model S Plaid is no slouch with its three motors that produce 1,020 hp and 1,420 Nm of torque. It’s also a bit lighter at 2,190 kg despite its larger size. However, as the Carwow host pointed out, the Model S Plaid holds a 7:25.231 record in the Nurburgring. Compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s record, the Model S Plaid’s lap time is notably slower. 

Real-world tests

As could be seen in Carwow’s drag races, however, Tesla’s tech wizardry with the Model S Plaid is still hard to beat. The two vehicles competed in nine races, and the older Model S Plaid actually beat its newer, more powerful counterpart from China several times. At one point in the race, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra hit its power limit due to its battery’s temperature, but the Model S Plaid was still going strong.

The Model S Plaid was first teased five years ago, in September 2020 during Tesla’s Battery Day. Since then, cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra have been released, surpassing its specs. But just like the Model Y ended up being the better all-rounder compared to the BYD Sealion 7 and the MG IM6, there is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing. 

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Check out Carwow’s Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 drag race video below.

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500-mile test proves why Tesla Model Y still humiliates rivals in Europe

On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y.

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Credit: Tesla China

BYD is seeing a lot of momentum in Europe, so much so that mainstream media has taken every opportunity to argue that the Chinese automaker has beaten Tesla in the region. But while BYD sales this year in Europe are rising and Tesla’s registrations remain challenged, the raw capabilities of vehicles like the Model Y are difficult to deny. 

This was highlighted in a 500-mile challenge by What Car? magazine, which showed that the new Tesla Model Y is more efficient, cheaper to run, and more reliable than rivals like the BYD Sealion 7, and even the nearly 400 KW-charging MG IM6.

Range and charging promises

On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y. The Sealion 7 had more estimated range and the IM6 promised significantly faster charging. When faced with real-world conditions, however, it was still the Model Y that proved superior.

During the 500-mile test, the BYD nearly failed to reach a charging stop, arriving with less range than its display projected, as noted in a CarUp report. MG fared better, but its charging speeds never reached its promised nearly-400 kW charging speed. Tesla’s Model Y, by comparison, managed energy calculations precisely and arrived at each stop without issue.

Tesla leads in areas that matter

Charging times from 25% to 80% showed that the MG was the fastest at 17 minutes, while Tesla and BYD were close at 28 and 29 minutes, respectively. Overall efficiency and cost told a different story, however. The Model Y consumed 19.4 kWh per 100 km, compared to 22.2 for MG and 23.9 for BYD. Over the full trip, Tesla’s charging costs totaled just £82 thanks to its supercharger network, far below BYD’s £130 and MG’s £119. 

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What Car? Magazine’s testers concluded that despite BYD’s rapid sales growth and the MG IM6’s seriously impressive charging speeds, Tesla remains the more compelling real-world choice. The Model Y just offers stability, efficiency, and a proven charging infrastructure through its Supercharging network. And as per the magazine’s hosts, the Model Y is even the cheapest car to own among the three that were tested.

Watch What Car? Magazine’s 500-mile test in the video below.

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Tesla Cybertruck slapped with world’s least intimidating ticket, and it’s pure cringe

One cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of these babies.

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Credit: Ryan Torres/X

A Cybertruck parked at Stanford Shopping Center in California was recently hit with what might be the most try-hard piece of paper ever slipped under a wiper blade: a “fake citation” accusing the driver of supporting a “fascist car.” 

The note, shared on X by Tesla staff program manager Ryan Torres, quickly made the rounds on X, where it quickly gained attention as an example of how not to protest.

The world’s least intimidating ticket

According to the citation, the supposed “violation” was “driving a fascist car.” The remedial action? Take the bus, call an Uber, or ride a bike. The note also dubbed Elon Musk a “chainsaw-wielding Nazi billionaire.” Now, protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have become commonplace this year, but one cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of fake anti-Tesla/Musk citations.

Torres pointed out the irony himself in his post on X. Tesla currently employs over 140,000 Americans, and SpaceX has put the U.S. firmly back at the top of space technology. As Torres put it, maybe the person behind the world’s least intimidating ticket should “read a book on innovation before vandalizing” other people’s property.

Peak performative clownery

Not to mention that the fake ticket’s logic collapses under its own weight. EVs like the Cybertruck are literally designed to reduce emissions, not “destroy the economy.” If anything, Tesla has bolstered the United States’ economy by fueling jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and clean energy. It’s not the first time a Tesla has been the target of vandalism or politically charged notes, but this one stands out for sheer cringe value. 

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Torres summed it up neatly: “Peak clownery.” On that point, at least, the citation earns full marks. In a way, though, perhaps cringe fake tickets are not as bad as the literal firebombs that were being thrown at Tesla stores and cars earlier this year because some critics were gleefully misinformed about Elon Musk.

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