Highland - Model 3 Performance

[P1H]

Hi all,

So, the Model 3 Performance Highland is yet to be announced but I understand the current speculation is that it will:

i) Have one or more revised motors, potentially a front motor from a Model S Plaid (whereas capacity / power remains the same on the announced / released SR+ and LR)

ii) It will be more highly differentiated from the LR, partly due to the additional power, but possibly in other ways.

My question - what would you like to see in a new / face lifted model 3 performance?

My thoughts are:
- Power: a bit more would be nice to differentiate it and stay ahead, but realistically it isn’t lacking —> likely
- Seats: it would be great to have a sports seat option —> unlikely
- Steering wheel: the Highland is an improvement, but again it would be nice to have a sports steering wheel —> unlikely
- Widebody: again differentiation, it’s cool, M3/RS4 competitor —> almost an impossibility
- Adaptive dampers: obvious reasons —> almost an impossibility

Interestingly, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has all of these things and a few other interesting features, as well as high levels of practically. I’ll likely be choosing between the two of them. Where I live a 6/7 year old ICE performance car costs the equivalent to the same model brand new in the UK, whereas EVs are comparable or cheaper.

[David87]

I’m chomping at the bit for more info on this car as I’d really quite like to buy one. Previously had a very early UK example of the Model 3 Performance and it was an absolutely stellar package. Did have a Model S Plaid on order but that went in the toilet (I’m not having a LHD one!) so this is the next best thing.

Will it be a Performance? A Plaid? Who knows. I’m expecting a pretty similar deal to the outgoing Model 3 Performance either way… 20” wheels (of a new design), carbon fibre lip spoiler, etc. etc.

I do think the horsepower will be upped though - fairly convinced it will be actually. A few reasons for this but the delay compared with the rest of the Highland range being the biggest one. Also the fact that, while still almost unnecessarily fast, things have moved on since the 3 Performance was introduced… a number of ICE and EV rivals are just as quick.

I’d imagine chucking some of the existing Plaid’s drivetrain magic at it wouldn’t be the most difficult thing in the world; I’m going with keeping it as a dual motor, so 2/3 of everything for approx. 680hp?!

[Gone fishing]

Not sure where you’re getting your info, maybe the clickbait sites, but bearing in mind there is no RHD MS or MX because they couldn’t resolve the motor placement and a RHD steering rack, let’s hope not.

[gmaz]

It looks like there be a Ludicrous version of the highland 3

https://twitter.com/klwtts/status/1715034499808120...

Edited by gmaz on Thursday 19th October 21:31

[Gone fishing]

A contact of mine has said 2.9s to 60, carbon rear motor similar to the MS one, hairpin wound front (which sounds like the current one), so faster but doesn’t threaten the MS Plaid. What’s going to be more interesting to me is what they do with the suspension,

[P1H]

David87 said:

I’m chomping at the bit for more info on this car as I’d really quite like to buy one. Previously had a very early UK example of the Model 3 Performance and it was an absolutely stellar package. Did have a Model S Plaid on order but that went in the toilet (I’m not having a LHD one!) so this is the next best thing.

Will it be a Performance? A Plaid? Who knows. I’m expecting a pretty similar deal to the outgoing Model 3 Performance either way… 20” wheels (of a new design), carbon fibre lip spoiler, etc. etc.

I do think the horsepower will be upped though - fairly convinced it will be actually. A few reasons for this but the delay compared with the rest of the Highland range being the biggest one. Also the fact that, while still almost unnecessarily fast, things have moved on since the 3 Performance was introduced… a number of ICE and EV rivals are just as quick.

I’d imagine chucking some of the existing Plaid’s drivetrain magic at it wouldn’t be the most difficult thing in the world; I’m going with keeping it as a dual motor, so 2/3 of everything for approx. 680hp?!

I’m inclined to agree that there will be a change in power, otherwise, as you say, why delay it?

I imagine Tesla will want to create some space in performance to the i4 M50, but I can’t see it being 680! Let’s see!

[P1H]

Gone fishing said:

A contact of mine has said 2.9s to 60, carbon rear motor similar to the MS one, hairpin wound front (which sounds like the current one), so faster but doesn’t threaten the MS Plaid. What’s going to be more interesting to me is what they do with the suspension,

Interesting.

Agree ref suspension - I understand there is some room improvement from friends who daily drive a model 3 performance.

The recent information on the parts catalogue suggest there may be a 19 inch wheel which is not yet released, it would be interesting if this was an option on the performance, for some compliance vs. the 20 inch wheels which will presumably be standard as per the last model.