Teslas, and electric vehicles in general, are relatively virgin territory when it comes to modifications but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t some shops out there trying to figure out how to extract more performance out of them.
Unplugged Performance is perhaps one of the first tuning companies focused on making Teslas even faster on the track. Their latest product, the Model 3 Ascension-R, managed to lap the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in just 1:54.2, which is faster than what a Porsche 991 GT3 RS did on the same track.
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What makes this lap time even more impressive is the fact that the car was in standard customer delivery form, featuring a complete interior and Tesla’s standard traction control. Unplugged Performance’s Ascension R package is all about the chassis and the aero of the Model 3; the drivetrain is left untouched, with the exception of bigger differential coolers and a limited-slip diff. After all, pretty much everyone who has driven a fast Tesla will tell you that it has enough power already.
The tuner offers everything from adjustable suspension arms front and rear, different coilover suspension packages specifically tuned to manage the increased weight of a Tesla, ceramic brake rotors and calipers, as well as lighter and stronger alloy wheels. The Ascension R pack also widens the front fascia, allowing the Model 3 to be fitted with 315-section tires all around.
The end result is a Tesla Model 3 with exceptional body control and the ability to swallow canyon roads at 911 Turbo speeds. Unplugged Performance’s Ascension-R is perhaps the most performance-oriented Model 3, as well as a Porsche-beating missile around the track, and for that, it deserves some respect.