Equally Matched Power

The power spectrum ranges from 490 horsepower in the Nio ET5 to 513 horsepower in the Tesla. In this case, the G80 M3, equipped with the M xDrive all-wheel drive, closely follows the Tesla with 510 horsepower. In terms of torque, the M3 brings 479 lb-ft to the table, the Model 3 Performance offers 487 lb-ft, and the ET5 delivers 516 lb-ft. In the weight department, the G80 M3 comes in at 1855 kilograms, the Model 3 weighs 1919 kg, and the ET5 is the heaviest at 2160 kg.

In the first drag race, which starts at 1:53, the G80 M3 gets off to a less-than-ideal start despite using active launch control. However, in both the second race, commencing at 2:35, and the third race, beginning at 3:30, the combustion engine of the M3 dominates, leaving the electric cars no chance and securing a decisive victory in the quarter-mile sprint. The Tesla Model 3 Performance consistently outpaces the Nio ET5, but all three vehicles operate at an exceptionally high level. It’s evident that electric cars pose a formidable challenge for combustion engines, especially in those critical initial moments.

From 5:00 onwards, the three-way battle transitions to everyday driving conditions with a rolling start. As expected, the BMW M3 struggles in this scenario, requiring several gear shifts during an unexpected kickdown before achieving full acceleration. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 and Nio ET5 effortlessly unleash their maximum performance and quickly leave the M3 behind.

At 5:35, we witness the remarkable difference in the BMW M3’s performance when all settings are dialed to their sportiest. Nevertheless, the M3 only truly shines when it’s in the optimal gear at the start of the drag race, as seen from 6:35 when it starts at 80 km/h in third gear, enabling it to pull ahead seamlessly right from the beginning.

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Furthermore, CATL wants to lower the cost of batteries, thanks to new materials. Yuqun said that costs will be lower as compared to both cobalt- and nickel-based batteries. CATL provides batteries to a wide range of automakers, from Volkswagen, BMW to Ford. CATL announced last week a new client: Geely Automobile Holdings. The Chinese automaker owns brands like Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.

Recently, rumors floated around in China that Tesla Giga Shanghai would launch new Model 3 and Model Y variants with CATL’s M3P batteries. Currently, Tesla China shows electric ranges between 345 and 419 miles, but those figures are used on the CLTC standard which is far more generous than the WLTP figures. In general, the M3P is designed for vehicles with a driving range of up to about 700 km (435 miles) CLTC.

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On paper, the M3P has a couple of important advantages as it’s substantially cheaper and has a longer range. It doesn’t have the build quality or the prestige of a BMW, but has the straight-line performance to live up to its suffix. TFLEV tested the two electric performance vehicles back-to-back in 0 to 60 mph runs before doing a couple of drag races.

The Tesla Model 3 Performance hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.63 seconds, thus comparable to supercars from not that many years ago. As for the i4 M50, it held its own since the electric M Performance was barely any slower. It did the job in 3.72 seconds, which means a true M version of the i4 would beat the Tesla.

In the subsequent drag races, the BMW had to settle for second place. It’s largely because the Model 3 Performance had a better start in both instances. In the first quarter-mile run, the i4 M50 completed the run in 11.98 seconds at 119.2 mph. As for the Tesla, it crossed the finish line in 11.83 seconds at 118 mph. The BMW’s higher trap speed means it was beginning to catch up, but it was too little too late.

It was déjà vu in the second drag as the M3P once again took the win. The Tesla completed the sprint in 11.92 at 118 mph whereas the BMW needed 12.06 seconds at 120.8 mph. Again, the i4 M50 was faster by the end of the race, but not enough to recuperate the lost ground.

Let’s take a look!

Source: TFLEV / YouTube

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In comparison, the entry-level Tesla Model 3 has a 75 kWh battery, gets 374 miles of WLTP-rated range, and hits 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Both cars are also priced under £52,000 in the United Kingdom. The Tesla does come with all-wheel drive, versus the i4’s rear-wheel drive, though, so there might be some more value there for customers that live in harsh winter climates.

While range is extremely important in an electric car, Nicola wants to also focus on the driving experience and how the car makes you feel. She mentions BMW’s superior balanced chassis and and steering feedback, while praising i4’s interior quality. The new iDrive 8 can be cumbersome, according to Nicola, but the seats are some of the best in the i4.

The i4 is a bit heavy, on account of it using a heavily modified version of the CLAR platform, that was intended for ICE models in the first place: 2,215 kilograms. On the other hand, the Tesla Model 3 Performance runs on a bespoke platform, made specifically for electric cars. Therefore, it’s lighter by some 400 kgs, tipping the scales at 1,845 kilograms.

Here is the video review:

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This video comparison starts off with an interesting claim from co-host Ginny Buckley, who begins with the expectation that the i4 will win. It’s an interesting claim, as the Model 3 typically wins these comparison tests.

However, the two cars are remarkably well-matched. The BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport uses an 80.7 kWh battery pack, has a WLTP-rated range of 365 miles, and reaches 62 mph in 5.7 seconds. While the Tesla Model 3 has a 75 kWh battery, gets 374 miles of WLTP-rated range, and hits 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Both cars are also priced under £52,000. The Tesla does come with all-wheel drive, versus the i4’s rear-wheel drive, though, so there might be some more value there for customers that live in harsh winter climates.

Both cars have their strengths and weaknesses. The Tesla is a bit more tech-forward, with its massive screen and farts-on-demand, while also being quicker, and more efficient. However, the BMW i4 is far more comfortable, more refined, and more practical. Plus, the i4’s interior is better and it’s more fun to drive. On the flip side, Tesla’s Supercharger network is more convenient to use and far more extensive than any other charge network.

No question, both cars are excellent EV sedans that are both quick, fun to drive, and boast enough range to be used everyday. However, there needs to be one winner in this video and it might be a controversial one. Helmets are probably a good idea…

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In this new test from Auto Express, we get to see that very three-way comparison test, as the BMW i4 eDrive40, Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor, and Tesla Model 3 Long Range go head-to-head-to-head.

All three cars are in the £40,000-£50,000 range to start, though the BMW i4 is by far the most expensive, with the Polestar being the cheapest. Of the three cars, on the Tesla is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive car. The BMW i4 is single-motor/rear-wheel drive, while the Polestar 2 is single-motor/front-wheel drive. In terms of usable battery capacity, the BMW has the most, at 80.7 kWh, the Polestar 2 is right behind it at 78 kWh, and the Tesla just behind that at 75 kWh.

Despite having the smallest battery capacity, the Tesla Model 3 has the highest claimed range, of 374 miles. The BMW i4 is next, with 365 miles, and the Polestar 2 is last, with 336 miles. In Auto Express’ testing, none of the cars reached their max ranges but the hierarchy remained the same.

It must be said that the Tesla Model 3 was able to achieve more miles of range with the smallest battery, one more electric motor than the other two, and the most power. The Model 3’s 434 bhp is quite a bit more than the BMW i4’s 335 bhp, and a ton more than the Polestar 2’s 228 bhp.

However, it’s not just a comparison of spec sheets, as Auto Express actually got both cars out on the road to test them out. How they drive is more important than small differences in efficiency. So can either the BMW i4’s supposed Ultimate Driving Machine dynamics or the Polestar 2’s Scandinavian charm best the Tesla? Check out AE’s comparison test to find out.

[Source: Auto Express]

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On the design front, things will always be subjective and a lot of people dread the new kidney grilles of some BMW models. At the same time, the Model 3 isn’t exactly a stunner either, having more of a functional design than an emotional one. Inside the cabin, the Tesla wins in the infotainment department, according to Mat, even though it doesn’t have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity. As expected, the fit and finish inside the Tesla isn’t on the same level as the BMW with the same edge going to the Bavarian car in terms of material quality.

There are numerous other differences too. With the two trading blows in all areas. When it comes to driving, the BMW i4 has the better suspension, that absorbs bumps better in Comfort mode but it does seem to push you outside the corners due to its weight. However, the i4 is quieter overall and more brutal in Sport mode when accelerating hard. Last but not least, there’s also a 0-60 mph comparison done by Mat at the end of the video and the result will surprise you, especially since we’ve already seen a video of the two drag racing.

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That’s the good news. The bad news is this hardware change has taken its toll on the car’s efficiency as Model 3 and Model Y units equipped with the AMD Ryzen have a slightly lower range. Tesla explains the MCU3 “requires more power, resulting in a minor drop in range.” People with a pending delivery are receiving this warning and have to confirm they understand the change and proceed with delivery or cancel the order.

New Model 3 vehicles in Australia in addition to other regions are now delivering with the new MCU3 (Ryzen CPU) computer!

Individuals with a pending delivery are now required to agree to a range decrease, due to increased power consumption. pic.twitter.com/lugJaHef0w

— Teslascope (@teslascope) January 17, 2022

In this particular case of a car heading to Australia, a Model 3’s WLTP range has dropped by 22 kilometers (14 miles) to 602 kilometers (374 miles). It’s not the end of the world, but certainly not a pleasant surprise either. Over in Europe, the M3 is also impacted by the switch to AMD Ryzen, with the exception of the Model 3 RWD as it soldiers on with 510 km (317 miles) of range for the version riding on 18-inch wheels. Go for the one equipped with a 19-inch set and efficiency drops to 491 km (305 miles).

Elsewhere, the M3 Long Range AWD now does 626 km (389 miles) or 11 km (7 miles) less than before on the 18-inch alloys and the 19-inch wheels come with a 12-km penalty to 602 km (374 miles). Step up to the M3 Performance with its 20-inch set and you should be able to cover 547 km (340 miles) on a single charge, representing a decline of 20 km (12 miles).

On the other hand, the Model Y benefits from a higher range, presumed to come from a battery size increase from 77 kWh to 82 kWh.

Note: All numbers are according to the WLTP test cycle.

Source: Teslascope / Twitter

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In the same interval, Volkswagen managed to deliver 125% more ID.3 electric hatchbacks than it did in January – November 2020, selling a total of 63,109. With such a big gap between the two, it’s all but confirmed the Tesla Model 3 will be crowned the best-selling EV on the Old Continent this year. As for the last spot on the podium, it would appear the pint-sized Renault Zoe will occupy it with 60,551 examples sold or 27% less than the first 11 months of 2020.

2021 has already been an important year for Tesla in Europe for a similar reason. In September, the very same Model 3 became the first EV ever to grab the title for the best-selling car overall, thus dethroning the mighty Volkswagen Golf and beating the popular Renault Clio as well. With emissions regulations about to get even stricter in the coming years, purely electric vehicles will gain traction even more.

Imported from China, the Model Y will further increase Tesla’s sales numbers in 2021 after generating more sales than the VW ID.4 last month. Speaking of the crossover, bear in mind the Gigafactory Berlin isn’t fully operational just yet, but it should happen in early 2022. Once it will be up and running at maximum potential, it’s going to pump out a lot of Model Ys that will help the company bolster its popularity in Europe even more.

Add into the mix the Model S Refresh and the Model X Refresh with their high-performance Plaid versions, 2022 is shaping up to be a great year for Tesla in Europe.

Source: Automotive News Europe

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Actually, two separate recalls. The first one impacts no fewer than 356,039 Model 3 sedans produced for the 2017 to 2020 model years. These may have a problem with the coaxial cable necessary to send the rearview camera’s feed to the center screen. There’s a risk this cable will wear excessively in time by opening and closing the trunk lid. If that happens, the driver won’t be able to use the backup camera anymore. That might not seem such a big deal, but the camera has been mandatory on all new cars sold since May 1, 2018.

Affected owners will have to bring in their Model 3s to a Tesla shop where the service department will inspect the vehicle and replace the coaxial cable if necessary. A guide protector will be installed to diminish the bend angle after closing the trunk. Those who have taken matters into their own hands by fixing the issue already should get their money back from the company. It’s not a problem on newer cars (2021 and 2022 model years) since Tesla has solved the problem by tweaking the harness.

As for the second recall, it affects 119,009 units of the 2014-2021 Model S, which are prone to have a problematic secondary latch for the front trunk. The documentation provided by the NHTSA says the issue stems from an improperly aligned latch assembly, which might lead to the frunk opening when the electric sedan is moving.

Tesla’s technicians will have to inspect these cars and reposition the latch in case it’s necessary. If your Model S already had this problem and has since been fixed, the company should reimburse you.

A combined 475,318 Model 3 and Model S sedans are being recalled.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (1), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2)

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