Tesla Model 3 Outpaces BMW M3 CS in High-Stakes U-Drag Race

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In a high-stakes U-Drag race, Tesla‘s Model 3 Performance edged out BMW‘s M3 CS, challenging conventional expectations of electric vehicles (EVs) versus internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The event, organized by Edmunds, tested not just straight-line speed but also braking and cornering capabilities, revealing surprising results.

The race began with both cars launching off the line, but it was the BMW M3 CS that initially took the lead, thanks to its sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and 543 horsepower. However, the Tesla Model 3 Performance, with its 510 horsepower and superior torque of 546 lb-ft, quickly closed the gap. The turning point came when both cars had to brake, turn 180 degrees, and accelerate back to the start line. The Model 3’s torque advantage allowed it to pull ahead and secure the win.

Edmunds’ test team noted that the unusually high temperature of 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit (38.4 degrees Celsius) on race day may have impacted the BMW’s turbocharged engine more than the Tesla’s battery. “This result looks a bit strange considering the CS had previously beaten a Hyundai N, which itself beat a Model 3 Performance in a U-Drag test,” said one of the presenters. “The heat likely affected the M3 more than the Model 3.”

Despite the close race, the price difference between the two cars is stark. The Tesla Model 3 Performance, as tested, cost $58,380, significantly less than the BMW M3 CS, which came in at $132,695 in the specification used for the race. Even the base model BMW M340i xDrive, priced at $62,200, is more expensive than the Model 3 Performance.

This race highlights the evolving dynamics in the automotive industry, where electric vehicles are increasingly competing with, and sometimes surpassing, traditional performance cars. The Tesla Model 3’s victory in this U-Drag race underscores the potential of EVs to deliver not just efficiency but also high performance under challenging conditions.