If you’ve received the latest 2019.36.2.1 software update, you know the 5% power increase for Model 3 variants is living up its billing. The car is noticeable faster after the update, especially from a rolling start. We ran some very informal tests and were able to shave off 0.3-0.4 seconds off the official 0-60mph time stated on Tesla’s website for the Standard Range Plus.
We also saw a video earlier this week where two Tesla’s, one with the update, and one without, went head-to-head to see how much quicker the Tesla with the new update was.
Now those times seem very slow compared to the latest results from Drag Times, who tested their Performance Model 3 after the latest software update. They are reporting their Performance Model 3 was able to achieve a 0-60mph time of just 2.9 seconds. That is a significant improvement of the rated 0-60mpg time of 3.4 seconds, and the first time a Model 3 has broken the 3 second barrier. He also notes that if the Model 3 had a launch mode, similar to the Model S, that time could be even lower.
For a car to become that much faster, without having to do anything except hit the update button, and not cost a penny is truly remarkable. Legacy auto manufacturers better be taking notes, because if they continue to do things the way they’ve been doing them, and don’t follow Tesla’s lead, they could be in big trouble very soon.
