Ripping the Body Off a Tesla Model 3 Makes It Way Faster
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The Tesla Model 3 isn't exactly overburdened with luxury features. With a single screen controlling everything and relatively bare-bones trim inside, there's little in the way of extraneous weight. Or, so we thought. A new video from B is for Build suggests you can shave a second off its zero-to-60 time, as long as you're willing to sacrifice everything that isn't involved in propulsion and driving.
Cutting it all off without freaking out the car took work. As they note, modern cars require a lot of feedback from various sensors to function, and removing them can limit functionality. An improper ground my disable stability control, and missing equipment can force cars into limp mode. But with enough perseverance they were able to chop off the roof, doors, body panels, and more, removing the passenger seats, many electronics, and most of the trim along the way.
The results are dramatic. Tesla claims a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds for a Model 3 Performance, but in B is for Build's testing they did it in 3.46 seconds (or 3.8, depending on whether you look at the video or listen to the narrator) before modifications. While they expected a marginal gain (if there was one) for the stripped-out car, in the real world they shaved a second off the 0-60 time. Hitting 60 in 2.46 seconds without a windshield can't be that comfortable or safe, but it sure looks fun.
Source: Road & Track
