A Software Update Turns The Tesla Model 3 Into A Drift Monster

An over-the-air update for the Model 3 Performance adds Track Mode, which will allow the all-wheel drive system to heavily bias the rear axle

Tesla has now released what might just be its best over-the-air software update yet. Yep, the long-awaited Track Mode - which first came to light a few months ago - is now ready for customers.

The feature, which Tesla says is “designed specifically for use on closed autocross circuits and racetracks,” will make chucking the back end out incredibly easy. The ‘Vehicle Dynamics Controller’ works out what the driver is trying to achieve, and plays with the bias between the front and rear motors as it sees fit.

It’s best thought of as a virtual driveline, which will see more torque coming out of the rear axle motor in order to ‘rotate’ the car during cornering, switching to a front bias if that slide becomes ‘excessive’. In other words, it will, in theory, let you pull off massive drifts while minimising the risk of the car spinning out.

A Software Update Turns The Tesla Model 3 Into A Drift Monster

Other elements of Track Mode include increased regenerative braking, which both extends the life of the conventional braking system and tops up the battery with more energy, and better cooling. The latter is achieved by “proactively” dipping the battery and drive unit temperatures both in preparation for your track session and immediately after, and upping the capacity of the refrigerant system “by overclocking the AC compressor into higher speed ranges.”

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Finally, there’s a torque vectoring system which mimics the operation of a limited-slip differential through small brake and motor inputs.

Tesla - which this week announced Robyn Denholm as its new chair of the board - said that it will “continue to improve and enhance Track Mode over time with future over-the-air updates.”

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Comments

Basith Penna-Hakkim

Nah I would get the Model 3 RWD and get Unplugged Performance parts
Or let’s get Bisimoto to do a Tesla Model 3 build

11/09/2018 - 12:30 |
16 | 0

Bisimoto can’t work his magic on this occasion, there’s no turbos for him to work on

11/09/2018 - 13:56 |
6 | 2

Bisimoto can’t work his magic on this occasion, there’s no turbos for him to work on

11/09/2018 - 13:56 |
2 | 2

You can also buy a locking diff for them ive heard…

11/09/2018 - 14:26 |
12 | 0
Robert Gracie

Tesla are known to do crazy things but this has got to be the craziest thing yet but also be the greatest thing yet since we can now powerslide an electric vehicle

11/09/2018 - 12:38 |
2 | 2
GTRTURTLE 🔰 🐢(Oo \ S K Y L I N E / oO) (Koen

I am expecting some tesla owners to sue Tesla because they crashed their car in track mode

11/09/2018 - 12:46 |
120 | 2

Just say usa people. I’m pretty sure we don’t do sue elsewhere

11/09/2018 - 22:34 |
16 | 2
Anonymous

I wonder if you can switch this on simultaneously with Auto Pilot… Hmmm

11/09/2018 - 13:09 |
30 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Autodrift? Now that just takes away the fun

11/09/2018 - 14:28 |
20 | 2
A Car Guy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That’ll mean that you can go sideways while your car crashes itself into the back of a fire truck.

11/09/2018 - 16:38 |
20 | 2
TheDriver 1

Ooo better not do that. Would mean you have to sell it.

11/09/2018 - 13:35 |
74 | 0

I think this happened in the state I live in lol

11/12/2018 - 14:12 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Can they make a version where you can get replacement parts if you slide it into the wall? Oh wait……you cant

11/09/2018 - 14:22 |
4 | 2
Anonymous

How you you increase AC refrigerant capacity by making the compressor spin faster? All it does is just increase the pressure

11/09/2018 - 14:24 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I thought they meant electrical capacity

11/09/2018 - 17:49 |
0 | 0
RWB Dude

Can you put a software update on a GTR to make it drift? Lol jk old joke

11/09/2018 - 15:09 |
12 | 0

cheat code: X up up down Y B A up down up

11/09/2018 - 17:51 |
8 | 0
TheCuttingboard

Honestly, this is really cool. The Model 3 is turning into a proper performance car.

11/09/2018 - 18:53 |
4 | 4
maurotehsilva

Wouldn’t it be had to drift a car with one speed. I’m not saying it’s impossible to control it then but you’d have to control the throttle a lot is what I’m saying.

Granted I’m sure many of us has seen the video where a pro drifter in Japan took an OG Model S (the one that was RWD and had a top speed of 168 mph back then) and took it sideways through a drift route with the whole audience applauding him. He didn’t do a bad job though!

11/09/2018 - 18:58 |
0 | 0