Just about every day, somebody questions how much a Tesla can do other than going fast in a straight line. The “one-trick pony” outlook is quite often projected at the EV giant and its performance cars. However, time and time again, folks prove that they can handle their own when it comes to motorsports.

Tesla Model 3 vs. autocross on a frozen lake

Car and Driver took their Tesla Model 3 out to a frozen lake where they were hosting an autocross event to see how well it hangs. Unfortunately, the Tesla haters do get a bit of credit right off the bat.

You see, unless you have the Tesla Model 3 Performance, you’re evidently not trustworthy enough to shut off driving aides. As a result, the Car and Driver guys had to get a little creative with disabling the stability control of their Model 3. Fortunately, a company also takes issue with the inability to turn the stability control off in a Model 3. They’re called Mountain Pass Performance, and they’ve got a solution.

Mountain Pass Performance manufactures an aftermarket component for the Model 3 that they simply call the “Partybox.” As the Car and Driver video demonstrates, it’s pretty simple to install. Simply tapping into a 12v power source under the dash and plugging the Model 3’s factory wiring harness into it allows you to deactivate the stability control.

With that situation out of the way, the Tesla took to the frozen lake for some surprising results. The incredible drone footage of this Model 3 drifting its way around the frozen autocross course shows that it’s pretty effortless. Car and Driver put a set of winter tires on their mighty little EV, and the results speak for themselves. Combining the tires with the Model 3’s all-wheel drive layout makes for grippy and exciting driving.

Is Tesla Model 3 good in snow?

As is true with just about any car, a good set of winter tires is all it takes to make it through winter driving conditions. However, the low center of gravity and all-wheel drive system of a Model 3 undoubtedly adds to its winter performance. If you’re looking into an EV and hesitate because of the snow, know that you certainly shouldn’t worry.

But what about driving it so hard in the winter? Surely that must take a toll on the battery life, right? According to Car and Driver, it wasn’t as detrimental as one might think to spend the day slinging it sideways on the ice.
“Each of the four timed runs used about 5 percent of the battery, leaving us plenty of energy to get to the nearest Supercharger for a top-off before the couple-hour drive back home,” wrote Car and Driver’s Dave Vanderwerp.

Ultimately, it seems that Teslas are a bit better for motorsports use than folks might think. Across the board, Teslas is cleaning up in all sorts of ways. They do pretty well in competitive settings, whether it be a Model S Plaid setting a lew lap record or a Model 3 sliding gracefully across the ice. Furthermore, with companies like Mountain Pass Performance developing further modifications and upgrades, they’re only going to get better!