TESLA MODEL 3 - PERFORMANCE HAS TESLA BUILT A MORE ROUNDED SPORTS SEDAN?

The Model 3 Performance's toughest task is likely to be convincing those who see it as just a stoplight hero

- JEZ SPINKS

H EY, HAVEN'T we already reviewed the MY24 Model 3 in the January issue of this very magazine? Well, yes, we have, though that was the entry-level RWD variant that kicks the range off at $61,990... No, wait, that was the price last December. There have been a few changes since and the Model 3 now starts from $54,900. But you may want to check back tomorrow in case that changes again.

Here we're testing the flagship Performance that has, for one reason or another, been delayed by several months but finally joins the RWD as well as the mid-spec Long Range.

Historically, the Performance has been our least favourite Model 3, simply because it never seemed great value. It has cost as much as $102K, though is currently available for $80,900 before on-road charges.

That's another $2500 down on when the pre-update model was last offered in September 2023. That sort of price haircut could have the power to change a few opinions.

It's safe to presume that the Performance lives up to its name again by being the fastest variant. Not just the fastest Model 3 but a sedan that can out-accelerate a broad range of supercars. A new-generation drive unit - with combined power of 343kW (a rare official spec figure) - has lopped two-tenths off the Performance's 0-100km/h time, giving it a searing 3.1-second claim.

On paper, that beats every Porsche Taycan bar the $364K Turbo S (2.8sec).

For more direct rivals, the fastest Polestar 2 manages 4.2 seconds, MW's i4 M50 slips just under 4.0 seconds (3.9), and BYD's Seal Performance is seven-tenths away at 3.8sec which, incidentally, is the same time as the bargain MG 4 XPower.

Hyundai's upcoming Ioniq 6 N isn't expected to be faster than 3.4 seconds -the same time as its (fabulous) 5 N crossover sibling.