Brooks from DragTimes pitted Tesla’s dual-motor AWD Model 3 + Acceleration Boost against the dual-motor Performance variant to see if the US$2,000-dollar upgrade really made a difference. The Model 3 + Acceleration Boost was able to get impressive times for its 0-60mph, which made Brooks question how the Performance variant would cope with its upgradeable mid-tier sibling.

Before racing his Model 3 Performance against the dual-motor Model 3 with Acceleration Boost, the DragTimes host tested out the upgraded Long Range AWD variant. In his trials, the mid-tier Model 3 with Acceleration Boost did 0-60 mph in 3.619 seconds, 3.580 seconds, and—the most impressive of all—3.567 seconds. It should be noted that the 3.567-second time accounted for a one-foot rollout.

In contrast, Tesla lists the dual-motor Model 3 Performance as doing 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Initially, it was 3.5 seconds. Based on DragTimes’ trial run, the dual-motor Model 3 with Acceleration Boost can reach similar top speeds as the top-tier variant—give or take a few half-seconds.

With those times in mind, theoretically, the Performance would have either a .3 second lead over the Model 3 with Acceleration Boost at best. At worst, the top-tier variant would have a slight lead over its competitor.

Tesla Model 3 AWD with $2,000 ‘Acceleration Boost’ Upgrade → 0-60 mph in 3.56 secs 🚘📶⏱ https://t.co/0bvp2CEHQT $TSLA #Tesla #EV #OTA pic.twitter.com/H8uAy7dQNA

— Tesla New York (@TeslaNY) December 26, 2019

When the Performance and Model 3 with Acceleration Boost did finally meet face to face, the results were pretty impressive. The first two tests were rolling races. The Model 3 Performance seemed about even with its competitor when it came to the first set of races. The last race was a standing start quarter-mile in which the Performance proved why it was the top-tier variant and remains so.

In the end, Brooks concluded that the mid-tier variant with the Acceleration Boost upgrade was about even with his Performance. Even with when different charge levels, certain conditions considered, and whoever gets the jump, Brooks deemed the competition a “dead even race.”

Now, if Brooks’ conclusion is correct—and there seems to be strong evidence that it is—it could affect the Model 3 Performance model’s sales. After all, there is only a slight difference between the two dual-motor Model 3s after the mid-tier variant gets the Acceleration Boost upgrade.

The Performance model would still be the best purchase for more experienced drivers, like Brooks from DragTimes, who frequently race on the drag strip. However, the Acceleration Boost may be enough for Model 3 consumers who are simply after more of a kick in their Tesla sedan.

Brooks did mention @greentheonly’s speculations about the Model 3 Performance getting a 100kWh battery pack and Ludicrous Mode. He argued that such an upgrade to the Performance would make it significantly different from the dual-motor Model 3 with Acceleration Boost. However, it would put it directly in competition with the Tesla Model S Performance.

Featured Image Credit: DragTimes/YouTube