Of course, we have to break it in again with a drag race.
For those who have followed our Thrifty 3 series, you already know that TFL’s Tesla Model 3 has been out of action for some time now. In fact, after it got in a crunch, it has been out of commission since mid-April. Now though, after three months, we finally have it back! But why did it take nearly three months to fix it?
While we do have a Tesla facility nearby in Littleton, Colorado, they weren’t properly equipped to handle this sort of repair. What’s more, State Farm only has one approved Tesla repair shop they use in the area, which is Rickenbaugh Collision Center in downtown Denver. By the time all the parts were sourced, the damage repair costs totaled over $10,000. That included replacing the rear trunk lid, rear driver’s side quarter panel, a broken taillight, the rear bumper plus all the connecting pieces underneath, as well as both front and rear glass.
As to why it took so long, we spoke to both Rickenbaugh and Tesla, and both came back with the same answer. Tesla said that Rickenbaugh took too long in the parts ordering process, while Rickenbaugh said Tesla was slow to actually come through on replacement parts. Who’s right? It’s honestly impossible to say from the outside, but at least we finally have the Tesla back.
Time for a drag race!
To that end, it’s time to get back to seeing what it’s like to live with an electric car. Since we’ve had the Tesla away so long, we’re breaking it back in using a TFL tried and true method — a drag race!
Against our Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor, we’ve pitched one of the most ridiculous performance SUVs out there right now. The 2019 Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest Range Rover you can buy at the moment. With a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, this SVR makes 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It routes that power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s also pricey, with our tester coming in at $131,520. That’s nearly triple the price of our Tesla Model 3.
But is it faster? Sad day for enthusiasts of internal combustion, as the Model 3 does take the Range Rover here at a mile above sea level. Even still, the Range Rover Sport SVR has a completely different character and these two don’t directly compete. However, we also have a brand new G20 BMW 3 Series in the TFL office, and that does compete against luxury cars like the Model 3.
Stay tuned to next week’s Thrifty 3 series to see that comparison! If you missed out on last week’s insanely fast drag race, check that out below:
