The widespread use of generators in 3 helps with performance. And the new asyncio in Python 3.4 should help with IO bound applications. If that isn't enough there's PyPy, a JIT compiled Python implementation.
If you want performance, Python 2 and PyPy is what you're looking for.
I'm sure PyPy will eventually get there, but in the meantime, projects are still happening, so what's available now (or what's so close that it's considered complete and in testing) is a lot more interesting and useful.
PyPy3 has a beta release.
This would be like "If you want Earth without the pollution and are willing to move, then we've terraformed Mars already; we just need some fuel for the rocket to get you there."