2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance electric car unveiled with power boost, price cut in Australia

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance will be the quickest and most powerful iteration of the breed when it arrives in Australian showrooms later this year.

More extensive upgrades for the facelifted Performance mean there is greater differentiation from the regular Model 3 line-up, with sportier styling, interior changes, and adaptive suspension for the first time.

The most significant upgrade has occurred underneath, where more power – claimed to be in excess of 373kW in the US – cuts the claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time to 3.1 seconds, from 3.3sec.

It is now available to order in Australia, priced from $80,900 plus on-road costs – $2500 less than the final price for the previous model, of $83,400 plus on-road costs in mid-2023.

First local deliveries are due to commence between July and September 2024, pending any delays.

Reports prior to launch suggested it could be named Ludicrous, a reference to the 1987 movie Spaceballs – of which Elon Musk is known to be a fan – when the spaceship in the film approaches "Ludicrous Speed", said to be faster than light.

Nods to the name do appear on the Performance, with the badge on the boot lid, and inserts on the front seats depicting the pattern seen in the film as the spaceship hits Ludicrous Speed.

Shortly after, the view from the cockpit turns to "plaid" – after which the Model S and Model X Plaid electric cars were named, denoted by different badges.

Powering the Model 3 Performance are dual electric motors – not three motors, like the Plaid models not sold in Australia – with claimed combined outputs of 380kW (510 horsepower) and 741Nm in the US.

Oddly, in Australia – and other parts of the world, including Europe – Tesla quotes 460 horsepower (343kW), though in all regions it says the new Performance is the most powerful Model 3 ever.

It is capable of zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.1 seconds – down from 3.3sec of the previous model – and a 262km/h top speed, up from 261km/h previously.

The performance boost is attributed to "all-new high-performance drive units," with Tesla claiming a new 4DU motor – which is the rear motor – produces up to 22 per cent more continuous power, 32 per cent more peak power, and 16 per cent more peak torque.

Government certification documents overseas have suggested the new rear motor holds maximum power until a higher speed – and that the front motor could be unchanged.

These documents claimed the previous Model 3 Performance developed 393kW – however it was a theoretical figure that did not take into account the different rpm at which the front and rear motors produced peak power, nor how much energy the battery could supply.

It is believed the theoretical output of the new Performance is about 461kW (618hp). Reports claim the battery is unchanged, with a circa-80kWh capacity, and the maximum power it can supply being 415kW.

Tesla claims 528km of driving range on a charge in European WLTP testing – down 19km from the previous car's 547km rating, though in less lenient US testing, Tesla claims a 2 per cent reduction in energy consumption.

Under the skin, the 2024 Performance is the first Tesla with adaptive dampers, allowing drivers to customise the firmess of the suspension between Standard, Sport and Track modes.

The Model S and X have adaptive dampers but they are linked to air springs, not coil springs like the new Performance. All other Model 3s and Model Ys to date have had passive, non-adjustable dampers.

As before there are 20-inch wheels – which have a new 'Warp' design fitted with plastic inserts for improved aerodynamics – which now wear wider tyres at the rear for "better traction out of corners while limiting traction control interventions," according to Tesla.

The tyres are now Pirelli P Zero 4s, claimed to deliver improved energy efficiency. Tesla says more of the car's power is now sent to the rear wheels thanks to the new motor.

There are understood to be Chill, Sport and Insane modes for acceleration, plus a familiar Track Mode for race-track use, which has a new 'V3' user interface allowing drivers to vary the power split from front to rear, and promising "a more predictable experience that more accurately honors driver requests".

Tesla also highlights "hollow damper piston rods, multi-sectioned stabilizer bar, ultra-high strength steel springs, and stiffer suspension top mounts," plus performance brakes with red calipers.

Tesla promises "enhanced pedal feel and improved heat management" thanks to standard-fit "track-ready" brake pads. In the previous model the discs measured 355mm at the front and 335mm at the rear.

On the outside, there is more to differentiate the new Performance from its regular range-mates than the previous model in its line-up.

As before the flagship wears a carbon-fibre lip spoiler, red brake calipers, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

However the new model now scores a unique front bumper with side 'air curtains', a large central air intake and black splitter, plus a different rear diffuser to cheaper versions.

Tesla quotes 5 per cent lower drag, a 36 per cent reduction in lift, and a 55 per cent improvement in the front-to-rear lift balance compared to the previous Model 3 Performance.

It benefits from the same styling changes as the regular Model 3, including slimmer Roadster-inspired LED headlights, new C-shaped LED tail-lights, a reshaped bonnet claimed to improve aerodynamics, and 'TESLA' boot lid badging.

Inside, unique to the Performance are front sports seats with tighter bolsters than cheaper models, and Ludicrous Speed logos on the backrests – as well as carbon-fibre-look trim on the dashboard, and metal pedal covers.

Updates introduced with the regular 2024 Model 3 carry over, including the relocation of the indicators to buttons on the steering wheel – and the gear selector to a slider on the touchscreen.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance is available to order now.

This story was first published at 7:40am on 24 April 2024.