2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Upgrade

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【Summary】An updated Performance version of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 electric car has been revealed in government documents, suggesting it will have more power than the previous model. The new variant is distinguished by a 'T' in its vehicle identification number and is expected to have changes to its electric motors. Unverified reports suggest it may adopt a new rear electric motor. The updated Model 3 Performance was absent from the initial model line-up unveiled earlier this month.

FutureCar Staff Sep 25, 2023 6:26 AM PT

A Performance version of the Tesla Model 3 electric car, which was absent from the recent model line-up unveiling, has been revealed in government documents. These documents, found on the TFF Forum and reported by Drive Tesla Canada, show a new dual-motor Performance variant that has not been confirmed by Tesla. The vehicle identification number (VIN) for this version includes a 'T' as the eighth digit, distinguishing it from the other models.

Speculation has been growing about the delayed release of the Performance version, and the discovery of this document has fueled further speculation that it may receive a power boost. The current model designations for the Tesla Model 3 RWD and Long Range remain the same, with unchanged electric motors. However, the Performance version's designation has changed to 'T', suggesting changes to its electric motors.

It has been confirmed that the Performance version will continue to have two motors, rather than adopting a tri-motor set-up like the Model S Plaid. There are unverified reports that it may feature a new rear electric motor known as the '5D1', but these reports have not been confirmed. Tesla has not commented on the return of the Performance version or the information in the government documents.

The outgoing Tesla Model 3 Performance is powered by dual electric motors with a combined output of 393kW. It has a claimed acceleration time of 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds. The Performance variant was initially absent from the 2024 Tesla Model 3 range, and customers who had ordered the Performance version in Australia were given the option of a refund or switching to another model when the updated line-up was unveiled.

The updated Performance version is expected to have a sports focus and may not receive the same specially-developed tires as the regular versions of the Model 3. These tires are designed to improve comfort over bumps but have a lower top speed. The top speed of the regular Model 3 has been reduced by 24km/h to 201km/h.

Alex Misoyannis, a car enthusiast and journalist, has been writing about cars since 2017. He started his own website, Redline, and has contributed to Drive and CarAdvice. Cars have always been a central part of Alex's life, from reading car magazines as a child to being surrounded by performance vehicles in his car-loving family.