As expected, Tesla has made small changes to the popular Tesla Model 3. In addition to external changes, the car also gets a larger range. And yes, it also gets (even) faster.
Some of the Model 3 news has already been announced recently in the form of a series of spy photos. The assumptions in the accompanying article all become true, but there is more.
Let’s start with the looks. All three wheel designs of the Model 3 will be overhauled. The base wheels, the 18-inch ‘Aero Wheels’, are subtly tighter than before, with more angular notches and flatter surfaces. The 19-inch option for the Standard Range Plus and Long Range AWD is replaced by an all-new design, featuring five double, flat spokes.
The 20-inch wheels of the Performance will also be overhauled. Instead of the well-known rounded design, the fastest Model 3 now gets the black Überturbine wheels of the Model Y Performance, recognizable by the wide spokes placed in a turbine shape.
No chrome
All versions of the latest Model 3 can be recognized on the outside by the fact that the chrome around the windows is giving way to black strips. The door handles on the outside and the ornament around the camera / flashing light combination behind the front wheel receive the same treatment. Less visible, but important news we find at the tailgate: it is now electrically operated. The modified headlights that appeared earlier, are as yet in no fields or roads to be seen.
On the inside, a redesigned center tunnel is making its appearance. The piano lacquer cover series is split, rounded and finished in a less stain-sensitive matte black color. A wireless phone charger is and will remain standard. The center console is now ostensibly finished in the synthetic leather used on the seats, including stitching. The color choice for the interior remains the same: as standard the Model 3 gets a black interior with a wooden dashboard strip, as an option all this is finished in white. Also for the outside nothing will change in the available colors: white is standard, black, gray, blue and red are options.
More range, better sprint times
If there is one thing that the Model 3 was not lacking, it was undoubtedly range. Nevertheless, Tesla sees an opportunity to let the cars go a bit further on one battery charge. Until recently, the WLTP cycle yielded 409 km for the Standard Range Plus, but that is now being extended to 430 km. The four-wheel drive Long Range will have an additional 20 km and a total of 580 km. The Performance comes a little less far thanks to larger wheels, but also lasts longer than before with 567 km.
Interestingly, the four-wheel drive versions of the Model 3 have been made faster again. The Long Range now pops from 0 to 100 in 4.4 seconds, against 4.6 for the ‘old’ car. The Performance goes from 3.4 to 3.3 seconds.
The prices of the Tesla Model 3 remain unchanged for the time being. The Standard Range Plus still stands for € 48,980 in the configurator, the Long Range for € 58,980 and the Performance for € 64,580. This is all without delivery costs, which drive up the price by € 1,015.