SPY PICS: New 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance caught undisguised

Design and development of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance appears to have been finalised, with production-ready versions spotted in the wild in Europe.

The first undisguised images of the crucial new model that will sit on top of the heavily updated new Tesla Model 3 range – and is set to be the fastest Tesla ever sold in Australia – have emerged from a video shoot in Spain that was subsequently posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The dual-motor version of the range-topping Model 3 is set to introduce a new level of performance for the brand locally and provide additional firepower in the rapidly-evolving go-fast EV market.

One red and one black version of the new Model 3 Performance were snapped as they followed a camera car in Valencia.

While the basic shape of the updated Model 3 ‘Highland’ is identical to the already-available Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range models, there are significant subtle tweaks that talk to the performance that is the key selling point of this variant.

One of the most significant is the badging.

Whereas Tesla Performance models have traditionally been denoted by a ‘Dual Motor’ badge underlined in red, the new Model 3 Performance instead sports a ‘ludicrous’ badge inspired by the Spaceballs blockbuster.

However, Tesla has previously said the car won’t be called Ludicrous or Plaid – the latter reserved for tri-motor Model S variants available overseas – and instead simply be known as Model 3 Performance.

The front bumper is new too, with a more serious race-inspired splitter on its lower edge.

The lower black rear diffuser has also been modified for a more aggressive look – and, no doubt, some aerodynamic benefits.

There are also new 20-inch wheels finished in black. Those wheels each has five spokes that look aerodynamically designed to maximise range.

As with the recently-arrived Model 3 Highland, efficiency is expected to be a major focus for the Performance, although whether it will eke out more driving range or instead pile those extra electrons into going faster remains to be seen.

Those wheels also give glimpses of the larger red brake callipers set to address stopping concerns about earlier Performance models.

There’s also a subtle carbon-fibre spoiler, something that has long been a signature of Tesla Performance models.

In many ways, subtle sums up the look of the Model 3 Performance.

Whereas European brands have progressively stepped up the differentiation of their go-fast heroes, Tesla appears content to keep it in the broader family – but with just enough to pique the interest of enthusiasts.

Glimpses into the cabin show unique sports seats with integrated head restraints. As with other Tesla variants they’re available in black or white.

It’s also likely the exchangeable strip across the dashboard of the Model 3 will get a bespoke Performance finish; carbon-fibre would nicely complement the black exterior highlights.

Of course, there’s loads we can’t glean from the images, including the one thing everyone wants to know: exactly how fast it is.

The previous Model 3 Performance that was discontinued in 2023 was claimed to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds, although that figure included ‘rollout’, a drag racing term that starts timing once the car has started rolling. Add a couple of tenths and you’re probably getting closer to its actual 0-100km/h time.

Either way, the new model should blast to 100km/h in something closer to 3.0 seconds – or possibly quicker.

To deliver that extra thrust we reckon there could be at least one new motor coming for the Model 3 Performance.

Whereas the Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range variants of the Highland continued with no changes to batteries and motors, the M3 Performance is expected to step things up substantially in the race to take the fight to harder-charging rivals.

A Tesla engineer visiting Australia for the Highland launch late last year suggested the company had “left a few things on the table” during initial development of the Model 3.

He suggested the new Performance would be significantly more special – and more grunt is clearly a key component of that.

Previously the Model 3 Performance shared its 137kW/219Nm front motor with the Dual Motor and got a unique 220kW/440Nm rear motor.

Given Tesla’s intense focus on production simplicity and sharing components across models, we’d guess it’s the rear motor that will get the attention this time around, helping boost overall performance and add more rear bias to the driving experience.

All of which is important given the thrust in some recent EV performance cars.

The MG4 X-POWER, for example, takes 3.8 seconds to hit 100km/h and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N just 3.4sec.

Another thing we can’t see from the images with the new Model 3 Performance is software.

Tesla has led the way on software development and innovation and could unlock plenty in terms of unique-to-Performance features.

There’s loads of room to catch up, with the IONIQ 5 N ushering in a new era of software-defined performance and driving smarts, from fake gear shifts and futuristic sounds to track and race modes that optimise battery performance and dynamics.

Options include launch control and drift modes or more hardcore drive modes designed to tailor the driving experience.

No doubt Tesla will look to have some fun along the way, too.

All of which we should learn about soon…

Tesla is expected to officially unveil the Model 3 Performance in March or April, with first Australian deliveries likely in the second half of 2024.

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