THE MOJAVE ROAD is a 147-mile off-road route that starts at the Colorado River just south of Laughlin, Nevada, and ends near the Cajon Pass in California. Historically, beginning in late-prehistoric times, its trails represented a trade route connecting inland and coastal Native American tribes. Later it became a path along with the westward expansion, a challenging desert crossing. Today it's a popular off-road route, one we attempted to travel in a home-built, safari-style Tesla Model 3. We felt like pioneers—though we might've been better off in a covered wagon.
Ethan Schlussler and Edwin Olding run Grind Hard Plumbing Co., a gearhead collective with a popular YouTube channel featuring their zany mechanical projects. The off-road Tesla started as a salvaged 2020 Model 3 Dual Motor Long Range with front-end damage. The guys documented the process of getting it running with help from Tesla guru Rich Benoit in a series of videos. The short version: They cut off part of the damaged front structure, replaced the plastic bumpers with steel tubes, mounted a 12,000-pound-capacity winch, relocated the heat exchangers to the frunk, cut out a section of the hood, installed aftermarket lighting, raised the ride height by two inches, removed the front anti-roll bar, added front-wheel spacers, and fitted Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires—all under the watchful gaze of a life-size Elon Musk cardboard cutout. Rock sliders were added for extra protection, and the rear bumper and part of the rear floor were removed for a better departure angle. A floor patch was made from an old street sign reading "Road maintenance ends." Fitting.
Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Car and Driver.
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Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Car and Driver.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Fleeting Thoughts
Updates and hot takes on the vehicles fortunate enough to spend 40,000 miles with C/D's editors.
Swedish Bliss
The new Volvo EX90 channels the brand's characteristic approach to wellness and serenity into an electric SUV sized for the whole family.
Tick, Tick, Boom
Tesla Model 3 Performance HIGHS: Nauseatingly quick, airy cabin with great visibility, genuine value. LOWS: Off-putting user interface, inescapable clinical feeling, austere interior design.
Black Ops
The new Precision package for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing hones one of our favorite sports sedans.
Pay to Play
Porsche Panamera HIGHS: Ample motivation, fun in every corner, surprising fuel economy. LOWS: Grip levels drop slightly, big price tag, dumb touchscreen vent controls. VERDICT: The bottom rung, but you'd never know it.
Man-o'-War
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing HIGHS: A clinic on proper steering response, 9000 rpm of sonic glory, more grip is good. LOWS: A mirror full of wing, upgrades useful only on track, quiet only when it's off.
Low-Pro Hero
Honda Civic Hybrid HIGHS: Fuel efficiency of a hybrid, Si-beating acceleration, as comfortable to ride in as it is engaging to drive. LOWS: No adjustable lumbar support, low-limit tires, quicker at the track than in the real world.
Back in Tune
CarBahn CB3 M4 HIGHS: A monster inline-six with an available warranty, massive grip and lateral stability, a better-looking face. LOWS: The exhaust needs an off switch, suspension links clatter, steering is still mute.
Hurricane Force
Ram 1500 HIGHS: Quicker than the old V-8 Ram, powerful and smooth turbo six, class-leading luxury. LOWS: Detectable turbo lag, slow-to-react touchscreen, hands-free mode zaps confidence.
Good Vibrations
No one has to guess what's under the hood of the Ferrari 12Cilindri.
