Tesla Model 3 is showing how to be a real sports car in a midsize sedan cover. When it comes to acceleration and handling, the car is a beast, as we can see on the youtube video. The vehicle does well in many performance metrics, especially in price.
The car tested in the video was modified in Japan, check it out.
Video Description via Unplugged Performance on YouTube: Unplugged Performance Street Tuned Model 3 Beats McLaren F1 – Time Attack at Tsukuba Circuit
We produce complete Model 3 builds like this one and offer worldwide shipping – info@unpluggedperformance.com. Read on for this story…
Tsukuba Circuit Lap Times:
Unplugged Performance Model 3 Ascension-R (Street Spec): 1:03.3 – Driver Ken Negoro
McLaren F1: 1:04.6 – Driver Naoki Hattori
Car spec: https://unpluggedperformance.com/prod…
We sent our client Erik’s Unplugged Performance Ascension-R Model 3 to Japan to have some fun after we completed showing it at SEMA in 2019. The car arrived in Japan in January 2020 and was shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon with Tesla Japan’s support. After Tokyo Auto Salon, we had our friend Ken take the car to Tsukuba Circuit to participate in an open track day event. Ken had never driven a Tesla before and is an amateur (but skilled) driver who tracks his tuned Honda Civic at Tsukuba. The car’s setting is the same as Erik’s street specifications. There are no changes to height or parts between street spec and the spec shown. The vehicle has a full interior, factory front bumper ground clearance (although a lower front diffuser is coming), and tasteful performance modifications that can be driven daily without compromise. The racing coil overs on the car quickly hand adjustable, and the damping was dialed up more firm for track driving. Tires used are factory OE (original equipment) supplied tires that came standard on all Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) new deliveries, they are not a racing semi-slick DOT tire. The 911 GT3 RS model from which these tires are borrowed has a fastest recorded lap on the same tires of 1:04.51 (1.2 seconds slower than the Unplugged Performance Model 3 Ascension-R, which lends the same tire). This helps create a more balanced comparison as the Unplugged Performance Ascension-R Model 3 is designed to be a factory style tuned sports car similar to a GT3. In contrast, the Porsche GT3 RS goes even further with factory roll bars, further weight reduction, and bigger wings. Both the UP Ascension-R and the GT3 RS use carbon-ceramic brakes, another similarity.
Overall we feel the car is capable with the current upgrades and no further changes of:
1:02.5 – as is with better weather and more seat time since less than 30 minutes of driving was possible, and it was near freezing conditions in February at the track
1:01’s with semi-slick DOT legal tires in same widths (we wanted to compare with factory production cars using a factory production tire)
0:59 with stripped interior and racing slicksWe also feel there are another 1-2 seconds in the car when Tesla releases Track Mode V2 software update, which will help reduce traction control interference.
In 2020 we will develop high downforce aerodynamics and further weight reduction parts along with our already track-proven suspension and braking components.
Video Credit: Best Motoring Japan – McLaren F1 Tsukuba Fastest Lap Footage