Watch Tesla Model 3's breathtaking performance as it achieves 260 km/h (162 mph) on the race track

Every now and then, Tesla enthusiast Ian Pavelko sets out on an adventure with his Model 3 Performance (aka MAGNETO). Last winter, he embarked on a Model 3 snow rally in the Canadian wilderness. Now, along with Trevor Page of Tesla Owners Online, Ian has pushed the Model 3's limits by achieving a top-speed of 260 km/h (~162 mph) on the race track.

Above: The dizzying speed of Tesla's Model 3 (Image: EVANNEX)

Also, keep in mind: to start, the Model 3 was at a 52% state of charge (SoC) and upon reaching 260 km/h the SoC had dropped to 42%. This is worth noting. Normally, guys hitting a race track with an EV almost always try to top up the battery to the max.

Above: Ian Pavelko driving his Tesla Model 3 Performance on the race track to achieve the max top speed (Image: Tesla Owners Online)

According to Ian, if he didn't have to pull back a little for a corner, the car would've achieved the perfect 261 km/h top speed. However, this wasn't an airport runway — it was a racing circuit.

Above: Jay Pase with some more info about the track (Twitter: Tesla Owners Online)

Transport Canada's PMG Test Track is ideal for high-speed testing as it doesn't have hairpins (180 degree turns) or zig-zags — note the above aerial image of the entire race circuit. In contrast, the Nürburgring race track is completely different, which could be why the Tesla Model 3 Performance wasn't able to achieve its top-speed while racing there.

Above: Model 3 Performance (left) and Model 3 Standard Range Plus (right) were the cars tested (Photo Credits: Tesla Owners Online / Ian Pavelko)

Ian and Trev's adventures made for a thrilling day at the track. They took a Standard Range Plus Model 3 with them for efficiency tests and came back with some compelling results. But the highlight was (of course) the Model 3 Performance top-speed, so let's check it out!

Above: Ian driving the Model 3 Performance - click the above Twitter screenshot to view the video from the first angle in a new tab. (Twitter: Tesla Owners Online)

Unfortunately the above pscp.tv video can't be embedded into a web page. Instead the YouTube video (see below) can be viewed from an alternate angle — in this particular version, Trevor is recording from the passenger seat.

Video: Ian Pavelko and Trevor Page push the Model 3 Performance to achieve a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph) (YouTube: Tesla Owners Online)

Earlier this year, Elon Musk announced that with Tesla's over-the-air software update, the Model 3 Performance's top-speed will increase from 155 mph (250 km/h) to 162 mph (260 km/h) which is now the officially advertised Model 3 top speed. And here, at last, we see it put to the test for the first time.

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Written by: Iqtidar Ali. An earlier version of this article was originally published on X Auto.