TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Performance Model 3 Drag Race - 2021 vs 2018 - Is it Faster?

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by MasterC17, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. AlanSubie4Life

    AlanSubie4Life Efficiency Obsessed Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2018
    Messages:
    8,904
    Location:
    San Diego
    Yes. We don't know how the new denser battery behaves (maybe @MasterC17 could compare & log the CAN bus reported voltage under WOT to 60+mph between the two vehicles!). But there are reasons to believe (namely, because this is how other Panasonic lithium cells work) a denser, higher capacity battery would tend to increase internal resistance and reduce maximum output current for a given sag. They were probably careful in this case to make appropriate design optimizations to ensure that it didn't change much for this new cell, though (meaning, the cell is just "better," moving the capacity/performance envelope outwards).
     
    • Like x 1
  2. RefreshedP

    RefreshedP Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2020
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Ontario
    Great vid. Thank's for posting. Question regarding the rims on the 18 performance. Do you have a weight on that setup? I'm assuming 18s, how much of an advantage do you think they gave the 18 over the 20" that it came with?
     
  3. Marius A

    Marius A Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2019
    Messages:
    609
    Location:
    NORWAY
    Yeah, I went a bit off the rails after my "horse tranquilizers" wore off.
    Not going to light the flame of semantics again.

    One difference I noticed in my 2021 compared to my 2020 is that the available power (dots to the right) maxes out much faster, I'm assuming because of the heat pump.
    It's not that cold here at the moment, 4 celsius, but that's low enough for my 2020 to not reach the visualized max output on my commute to work.
    However, I've tested my 2021 3 days with the same temperature and it reaches max power halfway through my commute.
    Definitely not very relevant for proper dragracing, but for daily driving in colder climate it means you get to use the full power of your TM3P more often without having to pre-heat the car.
    That's a big win for me at least.
     
    • Informative x 2
  4. MasterC17

    MasterC17 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2015
    Messages:
    1,033
    Location:
    USA
    The 18" Wheels + Tires I have on the 2018 weigh 47lbs, the 20" Wheels + Tires on the 2021 weigh 54lbs. The tires on the 2021 have substantially more grip and a larger tread patch (the 2018 has the factory MXM4's). That being said, I haven't noticed too much of a difference but 7lbs of unsprung weight is considerable.
     
    • Like x 1
  5. AlanSubie4Life

    AlanSubie4Life Efficiency Obsessed Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2018
    Messages:
    8,904
    Location:
    San Diego
    Would it be possible to do a test like the one in the OP, with both vehicles at 20% SoC? There's a claim that (currently) the performance is limited with the new denser battery in the 2021 Performance. But there has been no documentation/instrumentation of this claim. Obviously, there is a lot less power available in both vehicles at 20% SoC; that's a given - but is there a difference between the two?

    The Performance 2021 is claimed to be very slow at low SoC.

    I wouldn't be surprised at all by an even lower cap on discharge rate at low SoC for the new battery, for the time being (there's no reason for Tesla not to impose such a safety limit for now). But curious if it is actually happening.
     
  6. Marius A

    Marius A Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2019
    Messages:
    609
    Location:
    NORWAY
    On my car it happens at around 200km rated range. I had a 2020 TM3P and it was nothing like this.
    Could be fleet-wide with the newest updates, I don't have the old car so I can't compare
     
    • Informative x 1
  7. MasterC17

    MasterC17 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2015
    Messages:
    1,033
    Location:
    USA
    I can do that in the next few weeks. Will test and let you know.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Love x 1
  8. Kristoffer Helle

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    247
    Location:
    Norge
    We have problems with EU models.
    2021 is slow as f...
    Even with hot battery.
    Several cars can't even retain speed limit when getting under 20% soc.
    It's not a temp problem. As some stupid Norwegian YouTubers think..
     
    • Funny x 2
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  9. Devils son

    Devils son Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2013
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Omgeving Eindhoven
    Isn’t it the same battery as the US version? So why would this only affect the EU version?
     
  10. RefreshedP

    RefreshedP Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2020
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Ontario
    Although no scientific data besides my ass, I can attest, when my 2021 is below 70% SOC, it feels like a dog. 90% and above its a monster. never been in previous performance so cant tell. Even my son comments "is that all it has now?"
     
  11. AlanSubie4Life

    AlanSubie4Life Efficiency Obsessed Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2018
    Messages:
    8,904
    Location:
    San Diego
    Even in prior years it makes a difference. I would not be surprised if the 2021 is even worse at low SoC (for now). But we would need to test it side by side to demonstrate it!
     
    • Like x 1
  12. Devils son

    Devils son Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2013
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Omgeving Eindhoven
    With very low soc, I also feel that my car is slower. But at 70%? Not really.

    Sure, it will no doubt perform better at above 80%, but that has always been the case.
     
  13. Candleflame

    Candleflame Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Messages:
    2,368
    Location:
    QLD, Australia
    Dunno my stealth performance 2019 feels like a beast even <10%. SOC. I usually put it in chill mode below 20% though.

    50-60% feels the same as 90% for me imho.
     
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  14. Marius A

    Marius A Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2019
    Messages:
    609
    Location:
    NORWAY
    It's completely different rom my 2020P, that one was beast mode all day, 2021 goes limp mode at ~35% rated range
     
  15. LP99

    LP99 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2020
    Messages:
    21
    Location:
    Italy
    Is it the same with track mode?
     
  16. Marius A

    Marius A Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2019
    Messages:
    609
    Location:
    NORWAY
    Don't know, I'll check next time it's low, but I usually top off before it hits 50%
     
  17. Kristoffer Helle

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2015
    Messages:
    247
    Location:
    Norge
    Under 80%. It's really slow.
    Std long range is faster.
    It's some kind of SW problem.
    Tesla sais it has 1. Priority to find the problem.
     
  18. OzBMR

    OzBMR Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2020
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Brisbane, Australia
    OP thanks for the thread and I appreciate the detailed analysis and video.

    I have a 2021 M3P here in Australia and have only done one Dragy data run so far, recording 0 - 100 km/h in 3.48s (3.27s with 1ft rollout) and 100 - 150 km/h in 3.57s. This was with 80% SOC and ambient temperature of 28 C (82 F) No valid 1/8th mile recorded yet.
     
    • Informative x 1
  19. Devils son

    Devils son Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2013
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Omgeving Eindhoven
    Tested this morning at 26% soc. Road was damp, just after I left the house.

    0-100 km/u in 4.4 seconds.

    So no, the 2021 M3P isn’t slower than the M3LR under 80% soc.

    BTW: outside temp was 2 degrees celcius.
     
  20. Sam1

    Sam1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Messages:
    887
    Location:
    NV
    they may be talking about the same issue I noticed in my 2019. After an update, Tesla seems to have implemented a speed sensitive nerfing when my battery is under 20%. Like you launch it, it takes off out of the hole like normal, then it falls on its face around 40ish mph like you’re running under 10% battery and the car limits power like it’s in chill mode. And anything above 45ish, always feels like the car is in chill mode.

    Haven’t had a chance to get data logs of it occurring yet, but will shortly

    <edit> here’s my thread about it from a week ago:

    Speed sensitive power nerfing @ lower SOC after last update

    so it’s definitely not limited to the 2021 models
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC