Topgear's decision in the "Electric beats Petrol" issue was that the Model 3 Performance was better overall than the M3. I still don't agree with that, since the M3 is lighter and looks much better. No offense to anyone who likes Teslas, but I think that the 3 takes its styling inspiration from a soap bar.
Tesla Model 3 Performance lap time at EuroSpeedway Lausitz

Tesla Model 3 Performance finished a flying lap of EuroSpeedway Lausitz in 1 minute and 39.6 seconds.
Track | EuroSpeedway Lausitz |
Type | flying start |
Vehicle | Tesla Model 3 Performance |
Power / weight | 487 ps / 1848 kg |
Time | 1:39.580 |
Peak speed | 225 kph (140 mph) |
Average speed | 119 kph (74 mph) |
Air temperature | 21 C (70 F) |
Submitted | 4 years ago by FastestLaps |
Source | Auto Bild Sportscars magazine (Germany) |
Views | 582 |
Reference:
Auto Bild Sportscars - 10/2019
VW Golf R (Mk VIII) | 1:39.06 | -0.5 |
VW Golf GTI TCR | 1:39.22 | -0.4 |
Honda Civic Type R | 1:39.23 | -0.4 |
M3 Competition Pack.. | 1:39.52 | -0.1 |
Model 3 Performance | 1:39.58 | |
M340i Touring xDrive | 1:39.71 | +0.1 |
Ford Focus ST | 1:39.75 | +0.2 |
Aston Martin DBX | 1:39.97 | +0.4 |
Golf GTI Clubsport | 1:40.03 | +0.5 |
BMW X6 M Competition | 228 | +3.4 |
Mercedes - AMG A45 S | 226 | +0.6 |
BMW M2 Competition | 225 | +0.4 |
BMW M550i xDrive | 225 | +0.3 |
Model 3 Performance | 225 kph | |
BMW M2 (F87) | 224 | -0.7 |
BMW M2 Competition | 224 | -0.8 |
Porsche Cayenne Turbo | 223 | -2.2 |
Lotus Emira 3.5 | 221 | -3.7 |


FastestLaps 4y ago
As Franz von Holzhausen was designing the Model 3, his German Shepherd came along and licked the clay model, giving it the characteristic soap bar look.
But if I am serious, I think the Model 3 is reasonably good looking car, given the constraints - outside dimensions and interior space. Looks fresher than Model S. But not as good as BMW 3 series, of course.

SpeedKing 4y ago @FastestLaps
There's no way a German shepherd was involved, i'm going with a bull terrier that has an ugly head shaped like a Tesla lol
