Tesla is about to introduce a Model 3 Plus in China – but if you’re hoping for a new Performance or Plaid edition, don’t get excited just yet.
Photos of a new Tesla Model 3 ‘Plus’ edition have leaked in China, ahead of first showroom arrivals due imminently.
But for buyers hoping it is the return of the Performance model, or an even-faster Plaid flagship – dampen your excitement.
It is the first time the Model 3 Long Range has been sold in China since 2021, as the outgoing model line-up has consisted of standard-range rear-wheel-drive and long-range, all-wheel-drive Performance models for some time.
The return of the Tesla Model 3 Performance hangs under a cloud, and is yet to be confirmed.
Unverified reports out of China claim a new Performance could go into production by the end of this year, and may bring mechanical upgrades and more power over the old model.
Chinese government documents suggest regular versions of the updated Model 3 are less powerful than its predecessors, developing 194kW in Rear-Wheel Drive form (vs 208kW quoted previously), and 331kW for the Long Range (vs 366kW previously).
However according to Tesla’s performance claims, it is no slower – recording unchanged 0-100km/h acceleration times of 6.1 seconds for the RWD, and 4.4 seconds for the Long Range.
It is unclear if performance improvements have been made elsewhere, if Tesla is being less conservative with its new acceleration figures, or if the new power figures submitted to the Chinese government are inaccurate.
Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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