We reset the Buttonwillow CW13 Model 3 Lap Record (1:48.65) with Craig Coker behind the wheel during this brief 3-hot lap shakedown at Tesla Corsa
After its massive crash at the 2020 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb event, the Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3 racecar, now dubbed “Bionic Phoenix,” rose from the ashes to complete the event. In the months and years that followed, the “Bionic Phoenix” was used as a testbed for our products, but also, a great platform to show the racing community what the true limits of the Model 3 are. In turn, in early April, the Model 3 “Bionic Phoenix”, with our factory driver Craig Coker behind the wheel, managed to reset the Buttonwillow CW13 Model 3 lap record (1:48.65) during a brief three hot lap shakedown at a TeslaCorsa event.
Even though the lap time record was reset, we are still in the early stages of development on the “Bionic Phoenix”. The progress of Bionic Phoenix shows potential, and the road map is far from complete. As you can see on the incredibly smooth lap video, we now have the aero and suspension components so dialed that the driver can be flat out on the accelerator for most of the lap due to the insane levels of grip and road holding now present in the current iteration of the build.
The “Bionic Phoenix” is continuing on its current mission of testing the absolute maximum performance possible with standard off-the-shelf Tesla Model 3 Performance battery pack, motors, and software. Also, despite the extensive carbon fiber bodywork, this car is closely comparable to a standard Model 3 Performance due to the Pikes Peak-spec roll cage remaining from the original incarnation of this car. Were we to start with a fresh build specifically for time-attack, we could shave off significant weight and improve lap times as a result. We still have more in store for this development car but its history is too special to us to start anew at this stage.
For an even more compelling argument for our performance upgrades, Unplugged Performance tuned & upgraded Teslas hold several more lap records:
- Fastest Tesla Model 3 (latest record – Phoenix) (1:48.65)
- Fastest Tesla overall – Model S (Dark Helmet) (1:43.27)
- Fastest Street – Tesla Model S
- Fastest street – Model 3 (1:49.86)
- Fastest street – Model Y (1:58.20)
The Unplugged Performance “Bionic Phoenix” sports proprietary aero parts on the outside. However, the suspension, brakes, wheels, and many racing and safety components are all from our standard street parts catalog; they can be fitted to any Tesla Model 3. Contact us to upgrade your Model 3, and we’ll gladly help you attack those lap time records at your local track. In the meantime, grab a detailed look at the record-breaking run by the “Bionic Phoenix” in the video right below.
