While Tesla crosses a complex economic period with downward sales and running out of steam, quality remains undeniable: the raw performance of its vehicles on asphalt. A recent event on the Las Vegas circuit reminds us that even the “standard” models of the American brand have enough to make certain thermal supercars blush.
When the electric challenges the sacred thermal monsters
An acceleration races session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway recently highlighted the incredible Tesla capacity to compete with emblematic sports vehicles. On the program: three Model 3 and one Model there facing major opponents-two Chevrolet Corvette C8, a Mustang Shelby GT500 and an imposing Ford Pick-Up. Not to mention the ultra-performance plaid versions, these “ordinary” Tesla have shown that they had nothing to envy the thermal sportsmen.
The first confrontation opposes a Model 3 to a black corvette C8. Despite a better start, the Tesla must bow to the American sportswoman. Nevertheless, with a time of 13.84 seconds At the quarter of Mile (approximately 400 meters), the electric sedan demonstrates performance far from trivial for a family vehicle.
Electric revenge: when the model surprises
The second round sees one model challenging another C8 corvette. The duel turns out to be particularly tight, the two vehicles being separated by only A tenth of a second. In the world of acceleration races, this gap represents an eternity when we talk about time under the 12 seconds in the quarter of Mile. This time, it is Tesla who prevails, proving that even her compact SUV can stand up to a pure and hard sport.
Here are the characteristics that make the strength of Tesla acceleration:
- Instant couple Available from 0 km/h, unlike thermal engines
- Direct transmission without speed passage, eliminating dead times
- Optimized mass distribution thanks to the batteries located in the floor
- Ultraprécise electronic management from the power delivered to the wheels
David against Goliath: when the weight does not make the performance
The third confrontation features an imposing Ford pick-up against another Model 3. Despite its raised suspension and all-terrain tires, the American mastodon displays an honorable time 13.62 seconds. His visibly modified V8 roars impressive during the preliminary burn-out, but the electric sedan inflicts a memorable correction by crossing the finish line well before him.
This confrontation perfectly illustrates the fundamental advantage of electric vehicles: their ability to deliver maximum power immediately, without the constraints of combustion engines which must go up in the towers to reach their full power.
The Titans duel: Model 3 against Shelby GT500
The last race opposes a Model 3 to a real legend of American performance: the Mustang Shelby GT500 equipped with specific tires for the Drag Racing. The two racing cars cross the symbolic bar of 11 seconds At the quarter of Mile, entering the very closed club of standard vehicles capable of such performance.
| Vehicle | Estimated power | Couple | 0-100 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | 513 ch | 639 Nm | 3.4 seconds |
| Shelby GT500 | 760 ch | 847 Nm | 3.5 seconds |
This titanic face-to-face stresses a reality that many purists have trouble accepting: a family electric sedan can now stand up to the sacred thermal monsters on their favorite ground-pure acceleration.
The technical aspect behind these performances
If these impressive performances seem magic, they are explained by specific technical choices. The Tesla benefit from an obvious structural advantage: the absence of a gearbox eliminates the dead time during the changes of the report. Power is available instantly and linearly, without the hollows of torque characteristic of thermal engines.
In addition, the positioning of batteries haute tension In the vehicle floor significantly lowers the center of severity, improving motor skills at start -up. Add to that sophisticated algorithms that adjust the power sent to each wheel several thousand times per second, and you get an optimized machine for arrested departures.
These procedures of force on the circuit recall that despite the economic difficulties and the controversies surrounding Elon Musk, the DNA of the Tesla remains deeply anchored in performance. And if the brand is currently crossing zones of turbulence, its vehicles continue to make the powder speak on asphalt, proving that electrification is not synonymous with compromise in terms of thrills.
Written by Albert Lecoq
Specialist in electric cars buying guides, I am passionate about new technologies and I am a fervent supporter of the adoption of electric technology and sustainable mobility.
