NEW TESLA MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE ARRIVES WITH 510 HORSEPOWER AND 2.9-SECOND 0-60 TIME
- Second-ever Model 3 Performance receives big performance upgrades: 510 hp/547 lb-ft and 2.9s 0-60 mph.
- Increased efficiency, but reduced range of 296 miles.
- New chassis, adaptive damping, and aerodynamic design changes for better acceleration and handling.
- Starting price of $52,990, deliveries begin May-June 2024. Eligible for $7,500 federal tax credit.
Tesla has finally taken the covers off of the new Model 3 Performance, and it's set to be sharper, faster, and more powerful than ever before with 510 horsepower, 547 lb-ft of torque, a 2.9-second claimed 0-60 time, and a top speed of 163 mph. After months of leaks and teasers, the model debuts with the upgraded Model 3 styling with a more aggressive edge, including a new body kit, upgraded wheels, and Ludicrous-speed badging inside and out.
2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance
This model debuts as Tesla has had a very rough start to 2024, with layoffs, missed sales goals, and now serious discounting on existing inventory. Perhaps a new model is just what the company needs to get the public excited, and we believe this is the brand's most exciting introduction since the Model S Plaid.
Ludicrously Powerful
It starts with the company's newest generation drive unit - Performance 4DU - which is the key to achieving greater torque, power, and efficiency from the motors and battery than ever before. The company says that compared to the previous drive unit, the new one can deliver:
- 22% more continuous power
- 32% more peak power
- 16% more peak power delivery
The improvements in performance are 0.6 seconds to 60 mph over the outgoing model, with an additional 60 hp. But the numbers are backed up by a vast array of other updates to turn the Model 3 Performance into a genuine sports sedan.
Increased Efficiency, Decreased Range
One would think this would make the model less efficient, but the company states it managed to find a 2% increase in efficiency along the way. Despite that, it isn't enough to offset the increased performance as the updated Model 3 Performance now has an estimated 296 miles of range, down from the 310 miles the previous model offered. But with access to the Supercharger network, it can recoup up to 142 miles of range in 15 minutes on a suitable fast charger.
The increase in performance is also thanks to improved equipment, most importantly the brand new forged and staggered 20-inch wheels and Tesla-specific Pirelli P ZERO 4 performance tires. This setup increases the vehicle's contact with the ground with much stickier rubber than before, while also boasting a lower rolling resistance to improve efficiency.
Upgraded Chassis And Modes
The AWD system has been reprogrammed to accommodate the rear-biased nature of the new Performance 4DU rear motor, with the calibration improving weight transfer (there's 4,054 lbs to control) for enhanced cornering and better drive out of corners. On the way into them, new "track-ready" brake pads are aimed at reining in the speed.
With all of this new power and increased top speed, Tesla needed to ensure the chassis was capable of handling the job without becoming unsettled, equipping an all-new adaptive damping system. Controlled by the brand's in-house software, the system offers real-time adjustments to ride and handling, controlled by three modes - Standard, Sport, and Track.
Track Mode V3 To Get The Most Out Of Your Model 3 Performance
The new Model 3 Performance now harnesses motor controls, suspension controls, powertrain cooling, and the Vehicle Dynamic Controller under Track Mode V3, which aims to give the driver a more predictable and intuitive experience when setting up the vehicle and cooling down after a run. This should also mean improved runs, as all of these systems have received extensive recalibration.
Housed within the central infotainment screen, it boasts a revised user interface to provide all the information you need clearly and in an easy-to-access layout.
Improved Performance-Focused Design
The most obvious changes from the exterior are the inclusion of redesigned front and rear fascias, an added front splitter, a spoiler, and a rear diffuser. While aesthetically giving the vehicle a performance-focused design, they also ensure the vehicle is more stable at all speeds, garnering the following claimed statistical improvements:
- 5% reduction in drag
- 36% reduction in lift
- 55% improvement in front-to-rear lift balance
On the inside, you now receive new sports seats with enhanced bolstering and a better seating position, and they appear to be the same ones in the Model S Plaid. These 12-way, heated, and ventilated seats ensure you'll get the most out of the vehicle without sacrificing comfort. Finally, carbon fiber accents complete the sporty interior look, helping to separate your Model 3 Performance from the rest of the pack.
Estimated delivery is May-June of 2024, and the new Model 3 Performance is priced at $52,990. That excludes the $7,500 federal tax credit the Model 3 Performance is eligible for, meaning you could be paying as little as $45,490, which is a performance bargain if you ask us.