Tesla is set to launch an exciting new version of the Model 3 in China, known as the Model 3+. This model promises enhanced features surpassing the existing offerings from the Highland refresh series. Currently, Tesla provides a single-motor AWD version with a range of 634 kilometers (393 miles) based on the local CLTC cycle. They also offer a dual-motor AWD Model 3 with a range of 753 km, alongside the sporty Performance model.
The new Model 3+ is expected to surpass the range of the Long Range AWD model. According to a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification, the Model 3+ will feature an LG ternary battery pack similar to the LR AWD version but will include a single rear motor producing 225 kW (301 hp). This setup, minus the front motor, will reduce the car’s weight and increase its range to over 800 km (498 miles) on a single charge.
Local sources suggest the Model 3+ will launch in September, offering the longest range of any Tesla available in China. Currently, the only Tesla imported with a significant range is the Model S Plaid, offering 672 km per charge. It’s essential to note that these figures are based on the CLTC cycle, which emphasizes urban driving and often reports higher ranges compared to the more stringent EPA tests used in the US. Therefore, the Model 3+ might align closely with the base RWD version sold in the US in terms of real-world range.
Tesla previously sold a Long Range RWD trim in China with a smaller battery and lesser range. The new Model 3+ introduction comes just as Tesla aims to boost its market presence in China, coinciding strategically with the release of the six-seat Model Y L for the year’s crucial final quarter.
