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Watch a Tesla Model 3 Have a Scary Spin at 130 MPH on Salt Flats

Want to watch something very scary yet also cool? Just check this near-crash involving a Tesla Model 3 on the salt flats.
Watch a Tesla Model 3 Have a Scary Spin at 130 MPH on Salt Flats 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot/Ben Ahlander
Watch a Tesla Model 3 Have a Scary Spin at 130 MPH at Salt FlatsWatch a Tesla Model 3 Have a Scary Spin at 130 MPH at Salt Flats
The Model 3 is a car to have right now. There's a lot of things that you can do with it which feel like they haven't been done before. Plus, it drives just like the Model S, costs less and, we think, looks way cooler.

Many people decide to go cross-country after they buy their first long-range electric vehicle. But a couple wanted to go above and beyond and maxed out on some salt flats.

These zones provide unique opportunities for driving on the limit and are often used for land speed record attempts. The conditions here are good, so the Model 3 is maxed out at 155 miles per hour. Frankly, that's an amazing achievement considering so many American cars can't go past 130.

The minimalist dashboard is the only thing you can focus on as the Tesla flies towards the horizon at a rate of 2.6 miles every minute. But on their second attempt, things don't go according to plan.

At about 130 miles per hour, the Tesla starts to exhibit weird handling and spins out of control. Remember, driving on salt is different to asphalt, and rolling over is a risk you have to assume.

Luckily, the Tesla Model S is different from most cars. Most of its weight is uniformly spread around the floor, so it's not prone to rolling over. Pretty much any other vehicle would have killed you at this speed.

Danger aside, this has to be one of the most beautiful near-death experiences ever filmed. Everything from the lighting to the immaculate soft salt is like one of those minimalist indie games. Fittingly, we also have a good soundtrack too, featuring Kenny Loggins’ “Highway To The Danger Zone.”

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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