And they’re claiming it’s better than an M3.
American EV company Tesla has ‘announced’ two new, posher variants of its Model 3 entry-level compact saloon, as the marque pulls itself out of near-constant production bottlenecks and challenges that have beset the Model 3’s output since it began. CEO Elon Musk has said before that new variants won’t arrive until they’re confident in their capabilities building the current rear-drive model, and with production of the Model 3 soon reaching 5000/week, it makes sense that the company will want to offer more expensive variants.
The first of the two detailed models is the all-wheel drive, dual motor variant. Adding an AC electric motor on the front axle transforms the Model 3 into an four-paw machine, with the motor setup evidently selected to ensure maximum range with minimal impact. Despite powering two more wheels, range remains the same as the standard car, with 500km on offer per full charge, though 96km/h (60mph) is now achievable in 3.5-seconds, down from the 5.1-seconds that the rear-drive model offered. Opting for all-wheel drive will add US$5000 to the list price (or $6700 thereabouts), so it’s hardly an option you’ll be ticking on a whim.
The second variant is more of a flight of fancy. Officially dubbed the ‘Tesla Model 3 Performance Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive,’ essentially the Performance uses the same setup as the all-wheel drive model, but Tesla’s utilised the “highest rated” versions of the motors with “double the burn-in” process, with silicon carbine inverters in both motors. So equipped, the Model 3 can rocket from rest to 96km/h in just 3.5-seconds, with top speed rated at a higher 250km/h. Range remains identical at 500km per charge.
In a tweet, Elon Musk clarified that the Model 3 Performance would gain some unique exterior flourishes like a carbon-fibre rear spoiler, 20-inch ‘Performance’ alloys, as well as black or white interior options. Further, Musk claims that the Model 3 Performance will be “quicker” than a BMW M3 to drive, as well as better handling, a claim we’ll scoff at until we’ve driven it.
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