The updated Tesla Model 3 has become more aerodynamic and received a lot of new internal equipment. The estimated WLTP range is 678 km.
After six years and record sales of two million units sold worldwide, Tesla has given the Model 3 a new lease of life with aesthetic improvements and a wider range of updated features. After a fanatical public discourse around numerous spy shots and speculations, the new Model 3 may become one of the most anticipated electric cars of the year.
The updated Model 3 is more refined, has a redesigned front and rear end and a new interior. Tesla said it has improved its aerodynamics to increase range and reduce wind drag and noise. So far, only the European rear-wheel drive and long-range (LR) versions have been updated.
Updated design
The front end is sharper than before, with sharper lines, an updated headlamp housing and new signature LED daytime running lights. The crease on the edge of the hood, which used to taper under the headlights, is now much sharper and extends to the wings.
The silhouette remains identical, and the rear end has prominent C-shaped taillights, and now Tesla is indicated between the lights, replacing the logo. The multi-spoke wheel design is also new. The brand adds two new colors: Ultra Red and Stealth Gray.
The dimensions remain almost unchanged, but the Model 3 is now longer (4720 millimeters) and shorter (1441 mm). The ground clearance has decreased to 138 mm.
Wider range
The estimated WLTP range for the updated Model 3 with rear-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels is 344 miles (554 kilometers), while the LR variant has a range of 421 miles (678 kilometers). This is about 11-12 percent more than the WLTP range of the current model. Note that the EPA figures will differ significantly for an electric sedan with a US specification.
With the optional 19-inch wheels, the rear-wheel-drive Nova 3 will travel 319 miles (513 km) on a single charge on the WLTP cycle, while the LR version is rated at 391 miles (629 km). The performance figures seem to have remained unchanged: the 0-60 time is 6.1 seconds for the rear-wheel drive model and 4.4 seconds for the all-wheel drive LR variant.
More features
The interior of the Model 3 now looks different. It has a three-dimensional design with an “enveloping architecture” made of aluminum and fabric. New ambient lighting covers the entire cab. The brand claims that the cabin is quieter thanks to acoustic glass and improved soundproofing materials.
There is more digital real estate inside. The 15.4-inch center screen is the same size, but has slim bezels for more usable screen area. There is also a new 8.0-inch rear display with integrated climate, ventilation and infotainment controls. Tesla has replaced the levers mounted on the speakers with steering wheel-mounted controls, as in the Model S and Model X.
LR customers can now enjoy music from 17 speakers, three more than before, with two subwoofers and two amplifiers. RWD will get nine speakers, one subwoofer and one amplifier. Tesla also claims a more powerful microphone to improve communication quality.
Availability
Deliveries of the updated Model 3 will begin in late October in Europe and the Middle East. We expect Tesla to announce details about the North American model and its availability soon.
Several reports indicate that production of the updated Model 3 is already underway at the Gigafactory Shanghai, which is Tesla’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer and global export center. The North American version is likely to be manufactured in the US at the brand’s Fremont plant in California.
