Tesla Model 3 with mods nearly takes out McLaren F1 lap time at famed Japanese race circuit

A Tesla Model 3 Performance with street-legal tires and a series of Unplugged Performance bolt-on modifications registered a lap time that was nearly identical as the McLaren F1 supercar in the Tsukuba Circuit in Japan.

The updated but street-driven Unplugged Performance Model 3 owned by Erik Strait of this YouTube channel DӔrik failed the Tsukuba Circuit time assault on Jan. 22 and registered with a lap time of 1:04.7, just one-tenth of a second from besting the fastest lap time of 1:04.6 from the legendary McLaren F1.

The lap time established by Unplugged Performance’s Model 3 Ascension-R also bested the instances set in Japan.

McLaren F1: 1:04.6
Tesla Model 3 Ascension-R by Unplugged Performance: 1:04.7
Porsche 911 GT3 997: 1:04.8
Ferrari F40: 1:04.8
Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI: 1:04.9
Lamborghini Gallardo:  1:05.0
Porsche 911 Turbo 997: 1:05.2

The fastest recorded lap time in Tsukuba is a 1:00.3 by a Nissan Nismo GT-R.

The US-spec Tesla Model 3 Performance began its overseas journey from Los Angeles to Tokyo in which it created its grand International debut in the Tokyo Auto Salon show in early January. After wooing the crowds in the motoring show in Japan, the car was then exhibited at a Tesla Service Center in Shinome in Tokyo, before making its way to the Tsukuba race circuit.

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The tuned Tesla Model 3 Ascension-R hit the trail at less than perfect conditions on a 38 degree Fahrenheit winter on January 22. Driven by Unplugged Performance’s trusted Japanese driver Ken Negoro, who is not a fulltime racecar driver and hasn’t driven a Tesla before, Negoro familiarized himself with the car by doing 20 laps around the 1.29-mile circuit. During his evaluation runs, Negoro managed to put an extremely commendable 1:04 lap time when contending with a field of other cars and studying the features of this California-made all-electric luxury sedan.

Negoro said that the Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3 will be capable of running in the mid to low 1:03s with no modifications to the car if laps were possible under better circumstances. Negoro also said that when DOT legal semi-slick tires have been utilized, the car would likely be capable of 1:01 to 1:02 lap moment, and come near the fastest ever factory spec auto ’s lap time of 1:00.3 put by a Nissan Nismo GT-R.

Considering the pressing requirements, the Tesla Model 3’s fastest lap time in the famed Japanese Circuit is a excellent accomplishment for Tesla, Elon Musk, Unplugged Performance, along with the electric vehicle community generally. With the functionality at Tsukuba, Model 3 adds yet another feather in its cap proving that it can perform side by side, or even better, than supercars that are world-class.

Check out the video below of this Tesla Model 3 assaulting the Tsukuba race circuit in Japan:

The post Tesla Model 3 with mods nearly takes out McLaren F1 lap time in renowned Japanese race circuit appeared initially on TESLARATI.

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