BMW M3 CS vs Tesla Model 3 Performance..The reason why I won because it's an electric car
Feb 08, 2025
|
BMW M3 CS had an early advantage, but in the end, Tesla Model 3 performance won. Both vehicles are high-performance four-door sedans, with the best performance in their respective domains.
BMW M3 CS is equipped with a 3.0L twin turbo series six-cylinder engine, with a maximum power of 543 horsepower and a maximum torque of 479 lb-ft (about 650Nm). It is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sports 4S tires in line with powerful engines and has BMW's unique four-wheel drive system.
The Tesla Model 3 performance, on the other hand, has a Pirelli P Zero Elect tire with 510 horsepower and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of strong torque through an electric motor. It features instant acceleration and low-centered design unique to electric vehicles. The BMW M3 CS weighs 1,765 kilograms, 73 kilograms lighter than the Tesla Model 3 Performance (1,838 kilograms). In general, the outcome of the match was even more surprising given that heavy electric vehicles are disadvantageous in cornering and deceleration performance.
Edmunds' U-drag test is not just a straight acceleration race (drag race). The vehicles ran a 400m straight drag race, then suddenly stopped, rotated 180 degrees, accelerated again, and returned to the starting line. It is an experiment that can comprehensively verify not only acceleration performance but also braking force and cornering performance.
Tesla Model 3
At the beginning of the game, BMW M3 CS had the upper hand. Started quickly based on strong launch control and excellent grip. However, after about 13.7m, Tesla Model 3 performance gradually began to lead.
Although BMW narrowed some of the gaps in cornering and deceleration, Tesla, with its electric motor-specific immediate torque response, picked up speed again and won the final victory.
Even the Edmunds hosts were surprised by the results. Jonathan Elfalan, an auto expert who conducted the test, said "BMW M3 CS was ahead in the beginning, but it was overwhelming in the section where Tesla Model 3 performance came back."Honestly, the unexpected result"
Alistair Weaver, who tested it, also said that "M3 CS had a good early start, but the results were reversed when Model 3 began to lead in the middle" and "BMW seems to have underestimated the performance of Model 3 performance, which has stronger engine power but has instant torque and a light steering sense." he evaluated.
This result was even more unexpected, especially in that BMW M3 CS beat Hyundai Ioniq 5N in the previous U-drag match. As the Ioniq 5N beat the Tesla Model 3 performance at the time, the test results left many car enthusiasts questioned.
Edmonds cited the 38.4℃ heat wave recorded on the day of the game as one of the reasons for this result. In a high-temperature environment, an internal combustion engine vehicle equipped with a turbocharger engine is likely to suffer from a decrease in output. On the other hand, electric vehicles can be relatively advantageous in maintaining performance because the battery management system (BMS) controls the temperature.
Tesla Model 3
Even if BMW M3 CS lost by a narrow margin, the price difference between the two vehicles is overwhelming. The BMW M3CS tested by Edmunds costs $132,695 (about 192.75 million won). It is more than twice as expensive as the Model 3 performance (58,380 dollars, about 84.8 million won).
The Tesla Model 3 performance, which beat BMW's high-performance model at a lower price, remains an example of how the era of electric vehicles can shake the sports sedan market in earnest. Attention is focusing on how competition between BMW, which is trying to protect the pride of internal combustion engine sports sedans, and Tesla, which puts the performance of electric vehicles ahead, will develop in the future.
Editor Kim Tae-won tw.kim@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
