Model 3 Friendly Chase by Roadster

[smorgasbord]

Since the video quality is lousy (vertical, low-resolution, hand-held phone camera), you won't get the true experience, so let me set the stage and describe what you're going to see...

I'm taking a Sunday drive in my Roadster with a friend, heading to Alice's for lunch. Coming up Hwy 9 from Felton, we reach the stop sign at Skyline at the exact moment a white Model 3 comes up Hwy 9 from the valley on the other side. We each wave to each to go North first, and the Model 3 takes the bait.

So, we're behind a couple cars and a motorcycle. The Model 3 has MFG plates. The motorcycle pulls out and passes the cars. We go a ways like this, when both cars in front of the Model 3 turn left into an XMas tree farm.

The Model 3 takes off!

I follow, naturally, and at what I considered a safe, non-threatening distance. The Model 3 looks further away in the video than it was in real life, which I attribute to the very wide angle lens in the cell phone camera. And, you can't really tell how fast we're actually traveling, since both cars are electric drivetrain quiet.

I don't know what the Model 3 driver was thinking. It's not like he could outrun a Roadster, after all. ;^) He then makes a sudden right turn to go down Page Mill Rd., with tires screeching (so it wasn't an dual motor test mule), and for a split second I thought about following him, but I was hungry and I didn't want the chase to escalate into anything potentially dangerous. We had our fun.

Hope you enjoy it:

 

[dm33]

Not obvious from the video that there was any sort of race going on at all. Not apparent which car is faster.

 

[smorgasbord]

Not obvious from the video that there was any sort of race going on at all. Not apparent which car is faster.

Yeah, as I said, the video doesn't capture what the event was like live. The Model 3 driver was driving sportily - much faster than most other vehicles drive on this section of road, which portends well for Model 3's power and handling. As this was a public road with a vehicle whose driver I was not in communication with, I did not wish to engage in aggressive behavior or do anything that might lead to an unsafe situation.

Whether the Model 3 could have been pushed further safely, I don't know as I wasn't in that car. I can state that the distance between us was at all times completely under my control.

 

[jerjozwik]

lol at that right turn. someone was having fun.

 

[insaneoctane]

Yeah, as I said, the video doesn't capture what the event was like live. The Model 3 driver was driving sportily - much faster than most other vehicles drive on this section of road, which portends well for Model 3's power and handling. As this was a public road with a vehicle whose driver I was not in communication with, I did not wish to engage in aggressive behavior or do anything that might lead to an unsafe situation.

Whether the Model 3 could have been pushed further safely, I don't know as I wasn't in that car. I can state that the distance between us was at all times completely under my control.

I understand that you controlled the gap.... But, were you impressed by the M3's capabilities? Was it what you expected?

 

[gregd]

Beautiful!

Judging by the Roadster's telltale whine, you weren't going that fast, but quick enough to be having a little fun. It sounded like the M3 hit a bit of gravel in that right turn, which may have helped it break loose a bit.

Thanks for sharing the video.

 

[tony b]

That turn was sick!

 

[Jayc]

We need both parties to be present in the discussion to make a proper judgement. Otherwise it's a one sided story.

To me, the Model 3 looks effortless .

 

[SageBrush]

Not obvious from the video that there was any sort of race going on at all. Not apparent which car is faster.

Einstein could have told you that.

 

[DeedWest]

That sudden right turn almost makes it seem like he’s trying to lose the tail. LOL.