Unplugged Performance Complete Vehicle programs pick up where the Tesla Design Studio leaves off. Much like Porsche’s Special Wishes program, or McLaren’s MSO program, Unplugged Performance’s Complete Vehicle program creates a bespoke experience for the customization of Teslas. This latest Ascension-R is the perfect vision for what a street and track Model 3 should be. From the full Ascension-R aero kit and UP Race Seat to Race Spec Coilovers and Carbon Ceramic Big Brake Kit, this Model 3 is now in a league with GT RS cars.

The Ascension-R is based on the Model 3 Performance, an already impressive sports sedan straight from the factory. With 450hp it’s capable of sprinting to 60 mph in as quick as 3.1 seconds. That’s faster than the fastest M3 and is more on par with a Porsche 911 GT3. But it’s not just acceleration where the M3P shines. It has a near-even weight distribution and a super low center of gravity thanks to the battery packs being located low in the floorboard making it an ideal platform to build upon. And that’s just what Unplugged Performance has done with the Ascension-R.

A similar Unplugged Performance Model 3 Ascension-R was previously reviewed by Motor Trend in an article titled “Tesla Track Day! We Drive Flat Out in a Modded Model 3“. That same car lapped around Buttonwillow Raceway Park’s CW13 configuration at 1:49.9, (video linked here) a competitive time compared to a Porsche 991 911 GT2RS.

Purpose-Designed Exterior Aero and Built-for-strength UP-03 Wheels

For some, “form” follows “function”. For others, vice-versa. At Unplugged Performance, form meets function. The Ascension-R features various exterior upgrades that improve the aesthetics and individuality of the Model 3, yet also offer performance benefits. The Ascension-R body kit is comprised of a unique fascias with carbon fiber diffusers at the front and rear end of the car. Its profile is balanced with a set of side skirts and dual carbon fiber wings. To finish the body modifications it features a front wide carbon fiber fender set adds 20mm to each side of the car to fit up to massive 315mm wide front tires.

Finishing off the exterior aesthetics is a set of Unplugged Performance 20″ UP-03 wheels in gloss black. The UP-03 is the preferred choice for a street and track wheel with it’s wide range of size options, all designed specifically for Tesla Models, and because of its incredibly strong and lightweight construction. Fitted here are 9.5″ wide wheels at the front with 265/35 tires, while the rear is housing 10.5″ wide rear wheels with a 295/30 tire.

A Suspension Setup Made for the Track, Great for the Street

Because the Ascension-R is designed to conquer race tracks its suspension is built accordingly. On this iteration, the Unplugged Performance Race Pro 2-Way Coilover set with external reservoirs were applied. While these make for a very capable track car, they also allow for a shockingly compliant street car as well. To ensure the suspension provides maximum grip in the twisties, the alignment is perfectly dialed by utilizing a number of billet aluminum adjustable arms including Front Upper Control Arms, Rear Camber Arms, Rear Toe Arms, as well as Rear Spring Arms and Rear Traction and Trailing Arms. To reduce roll and promote precise rotation, the Ascension-R is equipped with a Front & Rear Sway Bar Set.

A Supercar Brake Upgrade for Supercar Performance

With the ability to reach high speeds quite rapidly, Unplugged Performance has fitted a set of Superlight Carbon Ceramic Big Brake kit at the front, and Carbon Ceramic Big Rotor kit at the rear in order to bring the Ascension-R down to cornering speed, turn after turn with consistency and absent of any fade. Within the Big Brake kit is massive 15.5″ carbon ceramic rotors, 6-piston calipers at the front, track-oriented brake pads and Stainless Steel Brake Lines.

A Safe, Secure, Effective and Badass Interior

All of the aforementioned upgrades mean this Model 3 is circling the race track much faster than it did from the factory. To increase safety measures, and keep the driver in the driver’s seat, the Ascension-R is equipped with two Unplugged Performance Racing Seats at the front with UP X Willans 6-pt bright red Harnesses.  A 4-point Harness Bar aft of the front seats secures the harnesses while retaining full interior, including the rear seat backs and base.  There is a close attention to detail on the interior of the Ascension-R, evident by the alcantara applied to the racing seats matching the Unplugged Performance-upgraded Alcantara Headliner.