Tesla Model 3 streaks ahead

Not only is the Tesla Model 3 winning the electric vehicle (EV) race in Norway, it’s also won a drag race against a Mercedes-Benz CLS 53 AMG and a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

In March, full EV registrations doubled in Norway year-on-year (YoY), increasing the overall market 28% while other powertrains dropped at least 20%, led by the Tesla Model 3 with 5315 registrations.

That’s ahead of the Volkswagen e-Golf (894), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (810), BMW i3 (784) and Audi e-tron (680), CleanTechnica reports.

The Outlander PHEV is the only plug-in hybrid selling in significant volumes, it says.

A new wave of battery electrics is also stealing the show with the Jaguar I-Pace clocking 442 units, the Kia Niro Electric 187 and the Hyundai Kona EV 331, CleanTechnica adds.

Meanwhile, a Tesla Model 3 dual motor all-wheel drive has outgunned a Merc AMG and a Dodge Hellcat in a test run by The Fast Lane Car.

A software update improved the Tesla 3’s acceleration so that it recorded 0-60mp/h (96.5km/h) runs in 4.45 and 4.42 seconds, beating both the Hellcat and the Mercedes CLS 53 in a straight line, despite the Model 3 lacking some horsepower in comparison, Teslarati reports.

“What is notable is that the Model 3 AWD is not even the fastest version of the electric sedan. That title goes to the Model 3 Performance, which can sprint from 0-60 mph (96.5km/h) in 3.2 seconds.”

The race can be viewed on www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ-_kPNH5xY

Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has also revealed an inactive camera above the Model 3’s rear view mirror is for when the car starts working as an autonomous taxi.

It’s for when “people allow their car to earn money for them as part of the Tesla shared autonomy fleet”, he tweets.

“In case someone messes up your car, you can check the video.”