Tesla Model 3 Bests Audi R8 and Jaguar XE In Drag Race

Tesla drag racing and testing videos have become overrated, but the results speak for themselves. During a drag race in China last week, a Tesla Model 3 beat an Audi R8 and Jaguar XE with seeming ease.

It is surprising considering the R8 and the XE are formidable vehicles in the supercar car segment. They feature some of the best accelerations on the racetrack.

This defeat will strengthen the argument for EVs and against petrol-based engines if the Tesla base model can make short work of an Audi R8. After all, the R8 was once a consistent drag race winner against the likes of Nissan GTR and Mercedes SLS models.

During the advent of the first Tesla, Model 3, there was a clear indication it was going to be a great car. It had a point to prove, and before release, it kept going back for tweaks on performance and safety.

From the hype, few people doubted it was not going to be fast, but comparing it as an entry-level EV sports-car to hyper-cars seemed like a long shot. It was assumed the Model S and X were designed to be in the weight class of the fastest petrol engines.

After a few years in the market, the Model 3 has consistently proven itself in several ways. It is trendy across the globe, and it has state-of-the-art safety packages.

It also offers excellent cargo space for a vehicle of its size. It is very economical, retailing at $35,000 in the North American market. In the Korean market, subsidies allow Tesla Model 3s to retail for as low as $27,000.

It is insane considering the level of technology issued with the base trims on the self-driving and safety front. So it is no surprise people are rushing to purchase the car which has already started outselling the gas-powered models.

As people continue to push for the adoption of EV and dispelling the criticisms around the new technology, there is still nothing like seeing the Model 3 defeat the Jaguar XE and Audi R8.

The video adds to the rhetoric against petrol-based engines, which has so far been pegged on their adverse effects on the environment.

If the activist groups backed their arguments with performance considerations, more of the market could switch toward the EVs. The result would prompt major brands to direct more of their resources to upcoming EV releases during the next few years.