Shubham Sawarkar
After six years of dominating the electric vehicle scene and selling a whopping two million units worldwide, Tesla has given the Model 3 a significant facelift, blessing it with stunning aesthetics, a longer range, and a tech upgrade that’s sure to make your jaw drop.
The updated Model 3 is nothing short of a head-turner. It’s been given a chiseled makeover, complete with a fresh front and rear-end design and an interior that’s pure futuristic luxury. Tesla’s engineers have worked their magic to make the car sleeker, improve aerodynamics, and minimize wind noise. These changes are initially rolling out for the European rear-wheel-drive and long-range versions.
The front end is edgier than before, with cleaner lines, redesigned headlamps, and snazzy LED daytime running lights. That crease at the edge of the hood? It’s sharper and extends all the way to the fenders now, adding some extra oomph to the overall look. The silhouette remains familiar, but the rear end gets a facelift with wraparound C-shaped taillights, and the Tesla logo now spells out the brand between the lights. Two new colors, Ultra Red and Stealth Gray, are also in the mix.
The Model 3’s size hasn’t seen drastic changes, but it’s grown about an inch in length and lost a tenth of an inch in height. Ground clearance has also dropped slightly, from 5.5 inches to 5.4 inches, not something you’d notice on the road.
Tesla has given the Model 3 an impressive boost in estimated range. The rear-wheel-drive Model 3 with 18-inch wheels is now estimated to go 344 miles on the WLTP cycle. But hold on to your hats, the long-range version boasts a jaw-dropping 421 miles on a single charge! That’s a solid 11 to 12 percent more compared to the previous models. Just remember that these figures can vary significantly for the US version.
If you opt for the 19-inch “Nova” wheels, the rear-wheel-drive Model 3 will still get you 319 miles, while the long-range version reaches 391 miles. Performance figures seem to be holding steady, with a 0-62 mph time of 6.1 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive model and 4.4 seconds for the long-range all-wheel-drive variant.
Step inside, and you’re greeted with an interior that’s more akin to a lounge. It boasts a wraparound design, using materials like aluminum and fabric that scream luxury. Ambient lighting now bathes the entire cabin, creating a serene atmosphere. Tesla has also put in the work to make the cabin quieter, thanks to acoustic glass and improved soundproofing materials.
The dashboard sports an expanded digital interface. While the 15.4-inch central screen remains the same size, it has slimmer bezels, making it more functional. Plus, there’s a new 8.0-inch rear display that handles climate, ventilation, and infotainment controls. Tesla has also taken a leaf out of its Model S and Model X playbook by swapping the column-mounted levers for steering-mounted controls.
Long-range model owners are in for a treat with an upgraded sound system featuring 17 speakers, two subwoofers, and two amplifiers. The rear-wheel-drive variant isn’t forgotten; it gets nine speakers, a subwoofer, and an amplifier. Tesla even throws in a more powerful microphone for crystal-clear calls.
The refreshed Model 3 is set to hit the roads in Europe and the Middle East starting in late October 2023 and will start at €42,990 for the rear-wheel drive model and €50,990 for the long range version.
