Drag Race: Tesla Model 3 humbles a Honda Civic with a chimney [Video]

Yes, that is a freakin' chimney on a modified fifth generation Honda Civic shamelessly emitting clouds of smoke. Making breathing more difficult for every living being on this planet surely means toughness, right? Ummm, we'll see. This tricked-out Civic, belching emissions, was getting ready to battle a Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) on the drag strip. 

Above: Tesla Model 3 AWD vs. Honda Civic with a 'chimney' getting ready to start the drag race (Source: Somnium Sky/YouTube)

This Tesla Model 3 AWD actually happens to be a non-performance variant with an optional 'Acceleration Boost' upgrade that Tesla had offered a while ago for $2,000. The 'Acceleration Boost' over-the-air (OTA) software update speeds up the Model 3 AWD 0-60 mph launch from 4.4 seconds to 3.9 seconds. 

The brash Honda Civic driver was arrogantly trying to intimidate the Tesla Model 3 owner. But the serene and quiet Model 3 was prepping for a swift beatdown as both cars slowly reached the start line. A couple of comments under the video best portrayed the situation on the track, as @FelunkaDunk stated:

Like a Chihuahua barking at the big dog on the other side of the fence, then the gate opens!

Above: Tesla Model 3 vs. modded Honda Civic drag race (YouTube: Somnium Sky)

Another user @Jumpieva described the situation below:

Like 2 dudes in the ring and the bell goes off and suddenly you realize it's Mike Tyson in 1989.

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD did the quarter-mile in just 11.822 seconds @ 117.19 mph blistering past the Honda to reach the finish line. The outcome was crystal clear as Model 3's ferocious torque crowned it the true champ. No smoke, no noise, just some ninja-like savagery for the win.

Interestingly, the quarter-mile finish time is almost the same as the Model 3 Performance (11.8 seconds) delivered in a recent three-attempt standing start drag race battle with the Porche 911 Carrera S — in all three attempts in that race the Model 3 Performance consistently reached the finish line in 11.8 seconds, a consistency unimaginable in the internal combustion world.

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