The New Tesla Model 3 Performance Hits 60mph In 2.9 Seconds

We’ve become spoiled by electric cars boasting outrageous torque and acceleration figures, and almost bored by watching them mince anything and everything over a quarter of a mile. It’s a little surprising, then, to see that the new Tesla Model 3 Performance seems… almost modest in its numbers.

With 454bhp, it is the most powerful Model 3 yet, and those instant gobs of electric torque mean it’ll still hit 60mph in 2.9 seconds. It also tops out at 163mph, although doing that speed will probably cause the 328-mile range to drop faster than Tesla’s stock values every time Elon Musk opens his mouth.

These are hardly numbers to sniff at, but that power figure seems almost modest next to some similarly-sized combustion-powered sports saloons: see the 503bhp BMW M3 Competition, 510bhp Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and ridiculous 670bhp hybrid-powered Mercedes-AMG C63 S. Heck, in some markets, Tesla itself will sell you the bonkers, 1020bhp Model S Plaid, so it’s no stranger to saloons with ridiculous power figures.

Rather refreshingly, though, it seems Tesla has chased driver involvement over raw numbers with the Model 3 Performance. The chassis hardware has undergone a host of upgrades, including adaptive dampers, uprated multi-section anti-roll bars, stiffer top mounts and new high-strength steel springs.

It also gets a set of new forged 20-inch wheels, which are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero 4 tyres, bespoke to Tesla. It features uprated brake pads, which Tesla calls ‘track-ready’.

Naturally, there is some EV trickery going on. With a dual-motor setup, it’s able to precisely vector torque to each axle depending on cornering conditions, although the Performance gets an inherently more rear-biased setup than the regular two-motor Model 3.

The new adaptive damping system has standard, sport and track settings, and is integrated in a way that’ll allow it to receive over-the-air updates in the future. The latest version of Tesla’s track mode sees driver assists, damping, powertrain response and regenerative braking all recalibrated for “a more consistent and predictable” experience on track.

The slightly more aggressive bodywork than the standard car contributes to significant aero gains over the old Model 3 Performance – a five per cent reduction in drag, and and 36 per cent reduction in lift.

The interior, meanwhile, gets new sports seats up front, which remain heated, ventilated and 12-way adjustable. Other than that, it’s a case of the usual Tesla minimalism and screen dependence inside. It does get some flashes of carbon fibre, though – sporty.

The updated Model 3 Performance is now available to order, with prices starting at £59,990. An all-electric sports saloon still probably isn’t going to tempt anyone directly out of an M3, but when most EVs are largely one-trick ponies, it’s a bit of a breath of fresh air to see one that tries to bring the driver back into the equation.