The much anticipated Tesla Model 3 has just arrived. Internally known as Project Highland, the electric car gets a new look inside out and a better range.
One of the world’s best-selling electric cars, the Tesla Model 3 has just broken cover, as expected, following the growing number of spy shots and leaks that have made it online these past few days.
And what it got is not just a refresh for the sake of refresh. Tesla claims that more than 50% of the car’s components have been refreshed, as a response to customer feedback.
The official details that we have been waiting for for the past year are finally out. The Model 3 gets a completely redesigned front fascia, specifically designed to provide better aerodynamics and reduce drag, which are major factors in achieving a better range. The refreshed version sports a drag coefficient of only 0.219, down from 0.23. The carmaker says that brings a boost in range of between 5 to 8%, depending on the specification.
And that is obviously true. The rear-wheel drive version can now drive up to 344 miles/554 kilometers (39 miles/63 kilometers) more than the previous version). Meanwhile, the Long Range version is able to drive as far as 421 miles/678 kilometers (up from 394 miles/634 kilometers) before it needs to be plugged in again.
Photo: Tesla
Charging speeds remain the same. For the standard version, it is of 170 kW, while the figure for the Long Range version is 250 kW.
The output is also the same as before. The base version sports 245 horsepower and runs from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 6.1 seconds. The Long Range, rated at 351 horsepower, covers that in 4.4 seconds. Top speed for both is 125 mph (201 kph).
The Model 3 Performance comes with 456 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Range is yet unofficially rated at 360 miles ( 579 kilometers).
Tesla's bestseller grew in length by an inch, now measuring 185.8 inches (4,720 millimeters). Ground clearance has been slightly reduced to 5.5 inches (140 millimeters) in the name of aerodynamics.
The front bumper has been restyled, while the headlights come with a completely new shape, while the fog lights have vanished. At the opposite end, what we all thought to be horizontal LED taillights, are actually C-shaped lights cutting into the trunk lid. Two new colors show up in the Model 3 lineup: the Ultra Red and Stealth Gray.
Tesla came up with new aero-optimized wheel designs and improved tire sidewalls for the 18- and 19-inch wheels in order to reduce road noise. With the same purpose in mind, the carmaker came up with double-glazed windows. The front and rear doors received structural reinforcement that makes them more resistant in impacts.
Tesla also updated the cabin of the Model 3. 'Minimalism' is keyword in there. A massive 15.4-inch touchscreen with a slimmer surround showed up on board, while the stalks vanished from the steering column, a solution also used for the Model S and Model X. The driver will operate turn indicators via buttons located on the new steering wheel and will only have to tap an icon on the screen to use the gear selector. We bet drivers are not going to like this.
Photo: Tesla
Two wireless phone chargers, three USB-C ports, and an 8-inch display positioned at the rear make life easier on board the Model 3. Front seats are now ventilated. There is a 17-speaker sound system on board (three more than before), with two subwoofers and two amplifiers.
The 2024 Tesla Model 3 will hit the market this October in Europe, China, the Middle East, and New Zealand, if everything goes according to plan. The car reportedly entered production at Gigafactory in Shanghai, with the plant in Fremont, California, to kick off manufacturing soon. There is no word on the pricing just yet, but knowing Tesla, even if we did, it would change several times before the market launch. Tesla is yet to announce the specifications for the American market.
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