Details of long-range Tesla Model 3 emerge
US EPA spills the beans on new 80kWh version of Tesla's smallest model that travels 500km between chargesNew details surrounding a long-range version of the new Tesla Model 3 have been leaked online by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
According to EPA documents discovered by Autoblog, Tesla will launch a flagship Model 3 variant that comes with an 80.5kWh lithium-ion battery that's claimed to be able to cover 500km between charges -- around 150km more than the base model.
As well as the range, the official EPA docs reveal the long-range Model 3 will be capable of reaching 96km/h (60mph) in just 5.1 seconds -- 0.5sec quicker the standard model.
Despite the improvement in performance, the long-range model detailed by the EPA is not the Model 3 Performance confirmed by Tesla's owner, Elon Musk.
That's because the long-range model listed is rear-wheel drive.
Tesla's faster pure-electric BMW M3 rival, meanwhile, is tipped to come with dual motors, potentially lifting its powertrain from the Model S P110D.
Weighing in 400kg lighter than its large sibling, the Model 3 Performance is expected to hit 100km/h in less than 2.3 seconds.
The long-range Model 3, meanwhile, comes with a hefty price premium over the regular Model 3. According to the EPA, in the US it costs $9000 ($A11,500) more.
By the time local deliveries of the Model 3 finally begin in 2019, both the long-range version and Model 3 Performance should be available to Australian buyers.
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