Tesla Model 3 Performance – New rawhide from Tesla

(Elbil24): This autumn, Tesla renewed its most affordable model, the Model 3, via a fairly extensive facelift. The company has replaced half of the parts in the car, which has been given a tighter and tougher look and a good handful of novelties.

Among other things, the interior noise has been greatly reduced, the driving experience is smoother, the passengers in the back have got better seats and their own screen, the hands-free quality and coverage have improved, the stereo system is even better, the car has got colored interior lighting and more.

Many improvements notwithstanding – the price was only raised by NOK 10,000 when the two new Model 3 editions came out in the autumn.

Test of the new Model 3: – Watch and learn, competitors

One has been missing

Where Tesla previously offered three versions of the Model 3, the three were replaced with two new ones – long range and the “regular”, with rear-wheel drive.

The performance edition, with the fiercest performances, has been long overdue, although it has long been on the cards that it would eventually arrive.

And on Tuesday evening, Tesla finally launched the third model again.

Most powerful ever

With a total of 460 horsepower on the two engines, the new Performance edition will be the most powerful Model 3 edition to date. 0-100 goes in 3.1 seconds, which is two tenths better than the previous Performance edition.

At the same time, let’s add that Tesla on its Performance and Plaid models starts the stopwatch after one foot (30.48 cm), and that from a complete standstill it therefore takes a few tenths extra.

10 models tested: These are the fastest from 0-100 km/h

But the improvement in performance is also about the continuous effect, which here has been improved by 22 percent compared to its predecessor. The peak power has been increased by 32 percent and the torque by 16 percent.

The top speed is also 262 km/h.

20″ as standard

In the configurator on Tesla’s pages, you can choose nothing but 20″ “warp” rims, and Tesla has now gone for a new set-up with wider wheels at the rear, as on many other sports cars. It offers, among other things, sharper response in bends and increased road grip out of the turn.

Adaptive damping is also new, and Tesla has made several upgrades to the chassis – including increased structural rigidity and updated springs, bushings and stabilizer bars. Red brake calipers with Performance brake pads are standard for the Performance edition.

For those who want to play on the track, the Performance and Plaid editions of Tesla have given a little extra. With the Track Mode function, which is only available on these variants, you can, among other things, adjust the distribution of forces on the front and rear axles, and on the Model 3 Performance the possibilities are even greater with the adjustment of handling balance, stability control and regenerative braking.

Own design

For the first time from Tesla, an edition of a model gets a different design from the others, both on the inside and the outside.

The performance edition of the Model 3 has different bumpers with a somewhat more aggressive appearance, changed aerodynamics and integrated cooling channels. They work together with the carbon fiber spoiler and rear diffuser to optimize lift balance and stability at high speed.

And as we know many have wanted: sports seats with side padding, which can offer both heat and ventilation.

200,000 over the base model

The new Model 3 Performance otherwise has a stated WLTP range of 528 km, and the battery can be charged with up to 250 kW of power.

In terms of price, it ranks well above the other two variants:

Model 3 (rear-wheel drive) (513 km/6.1 s): NOK 387,600
Model 3 long range (629 km/4.4 s): NOK 446,990
Model 3 performance (528 km/3.1 s): NOK 589,765

It is therefore quite a sharp jump in price from the other two models – a whopping NOK 140,000 over the long range version. In comparison, the Performance edition of the Model Y costs around NOK 38,000 more than the long range edition.