Tesla Model 3

An addition to its Malaysian roster, Tesla’s long-awaited and newly-upgraded saloon, codenamed ‘Project Highland’, the 2024 Tesla Model 3.

Three fully-imported (CBU - China) variants. Model 3 RWD (MYR 181,000), Model 3 Long Range AWD (MYR 210,000) and Model 3 Performance AWD (MYR 242,000).

Prices cover a Basic Vehicle Warranty (four years/80,000 KM), and a Battery/Drive Unit Warranty (eight years/160,000 KM - Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD/192,000 KM - Model 3 Performance AWD).

Exterior colours. Pearl White Multi-Coat (standard), Solid Black (MYR 5,000), Deep Blue Metallic (MYR 5,000), Stealth Grey (MYR 7,500) and Ultra Red (MYR 11,000).

Base prices (w-w/o add-ons) aside, total costs comprise of delivery/admin fee (MYR 500), number plate fee (MYR 200) and non-refundable order fee (MYR 1,000).

For a purchase, surge over to Tesla Malaysia’s official website (Tesla Malaysia configurator) and select a preferred model (Tesla Model 3 - w-w/o add-ons).

Improved, the Model 3 has a futuristic, simple and symmetrically built dashboard, projecting an airy ambience with luxury craftsmanship all around.

Standard, it is outfitted in soft- and hard-touch panels (Black) with Aluminium trims and Carbon Fibre details (Model 3 Performance AWD).

Commanding the dash is a 15-Inch centre-floating infotainment unit, and accentuating the environment is an LED ambient light system (dash, door panels).

Paired to the layout is a centre console that gets the gear lever deleted, and the remaining surfaces free of physical dials.

Overall clean and seamlessly designed, every accessibility can be touch-controlled, and is user-friendly for the driver.

Installed is a 15.4-Inch high-definition touchscreen central unit (instrument cluster/infotainment combo). 

Interior of the five-seater is upholstered in faux leather. Standard finish is Black (optional - White - MYR 5,000).

Fitted up front are standard (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD) and sports (Model 3 Performance AWD) seats (powered - multi-way, lumbar, heated/vented).

The rear gets a bench seat with manual configurations (40:20:40 split-fold) and heating/ventilation functions.

Included are centre armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), and a panoramic acoustic all-glass roof (tint protection - ultraviolet, infrared).

Courtesy of its central-underfloor-mounted EV battery and borderline wide body, these elements provide the e-saloon with ample cabin space. 

Ultimately, it offers generous head, shoulder and leg rooms, thus front and rear occupants get plenty of mobility. 

Mounted is a three-spoke-flat-bottom steering wheel, wrapped in Black leather, detailed with Silver trimming. 

Features are multi-switches (media, vehicle settings), integrated signal switches (deleted - signal stalk), electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and heating.

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Numerous storage compartments. E.g., centre console armrest/partitioned spaces, side door/back seat pockets, and a decent-sized glove box.

Four cup holders (two front, rear), and four bottle holders (two - front, rear - side doors).

Provided are three USB-C ports (one-front, two-rear), one 12 V socket and one dual-wireless charger (centre console).

Power-operated (hands-free - key fob, Tesla app, touchscreen display) tailgate with height adjustment, its main boot has a load capacity of 682-Litres, while its front trunk (frunk) provides up to 88-Litres.

Weighing in at 1,765 KG (Model 3 RWD), 1,828 KG (Model 3 Long Range AWD) and 1,854 KG (Model 3 Performance AWD), the Model 3 stands at 4,720 MM (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD) and 4,724 MM (Model 3 Performance AWD) long, 2,089 MM wide, 1,441 MM (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD) and 1,431 MM (Model 3 Performance AWD) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,875 MM.

Sharply smooth and electrifying, it exudes a prowling-like stance with its borderline low-sitting and planted exterior.

Upgraded, the front-end sees a concave full-face bumper (grille-less), seamlessly merged with the hood creating a sense of flow towards its roofline (glass roof).

Variant Model 3 Performance AWD gets a sportier bumper, with slit-like corner cut-outs (air-vents) and a lip kit (Black), framing the standard-fit lower intake.

Aggressively-modern, clean contours and fluidity command the entire outlook, completing a strong character.

A solid and neat silhouette, the rear-end continues the roofline flow, merging seamlessly with the tailgate.

Accentuating the look are fairly-wide rear quarter panels, a minimalistic body-sculpted boot-lid spoiler, and a body-coloured bumper with black cladding.

Variant Model 3 Performance AWD sees a Carbon Fibre boot-lid spoiler (Black) and a sporty diffuser (Black), matching the front-end’s standard-fit lower intake.

Aggressively-modern, clean contours and fluidity command the entire outlook, completing a strong character.

Slim and eye-drop-like, the headlamps are full LED units, with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off/high-beam, sequential turn signals and welcome lights.

Sleek and neatly-framed, the wraparound tail lamps are full LED units featuring welcome lights and sequential turn indicators.

The side mirrors (body-coloured) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with approach lights, automatic-dimming/heating and blind spot indicators.

Fitted are standard ventilated disc brakes (front - 320 MM, rear - 335 MM). Variant Model 3 Performance AWD gets larger rotors, and performance brake pads with Red callipers.

Drive is aided by a regenerative braking system, and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold.

Standard fitment (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD) is a set of 18-Inch Photon rims (Michelin e-Primacy tyres), with an optional (MYR 7,500) set of 19-Inch Nova rims (Hankook iON EVO tyres).

Exclusive, variant Model 3 Performance AWD upgrades to a set of 20-Inch Warp rims (Pirelli P Zero 4 tyres).

The Model 3 features the following suits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). 

Standard, they are Tesla Basic Autopilot (Level 2 autonomous driving system), Sentry Mode (360-degree camera, dashcam), Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Collision Warning. Other accompanying systems are Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), and Hill-Descent Control (HDC).

Optional is Tesla Enhanced Autopilot (MYR 16,000), which includes Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon and Smart Summon (summon parked Tesla via Tesla app). 

Another optional add-on is Tesla Full Self-Driving Capability (MYR 32,000), which includes all functionality of Basic Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot. Constantly updated via over-the-air software updates.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain, driver's knee), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, parking sensors (front, rear), parking cameras (front, side, rear), door ajar warning, impact sensors, crash sensors, security alarm (anti-theft, immobiliser).

Standard (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Performance AWD) is the Acceleration Mode (Standard, Chill, Sport). 

Exclusive (Model 3 Performance AWD) is the Track Mode V3 (motor/suspension controls, powertrain cooling, Tesla Vehicle Dynamics Control - VDC).

Also standard, the interior gets three selectable modes (Dog, Camp, Sentry), altering the in-car ambience and providing extra safety.

Fitted is a 15.4-Inch high-definition touchscreen central unit (infotainment/instrument cluster combo). Also included is a rear touchscreen display (8.0-Inch).

The system supports camera views (live traffic feed), live navigation, media, vehicle controls, voice command and in-car Wi-Fi.

Entertainment is channelled via a nine-speaker with an amplifier setup (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD), and a 17-speaker with two amps/subwoofers setup (Model 3 Performance AWD).

Embedded in the Model 3 are variant-specific electric motor setups. 

Variant Model 3 RWD nestles a single-motor setup (rear-axle-mounted), while variants Model 3 Long Range AWD and Model 3 Performance AWD (fourth-gen Performance Drive Unit) fuse a dual-motor setup (front-, rear-axle-mounted).

Fitted standard is a single-speed fixed gear automatic transmission. 

Gear changes are made via the infotainment setup (touch-based). Back-up physical buttons are provided (front roof).

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels (RWD - Rear-Wheel Drive) for variant Model 3 RWD, and to all four wheels (AWD - All-Wheel Drive) for variants Model 3 Long Range AWD and Model 3 Performance AWD.

0 to 100 KM/H acceleration is 6.1 seconds (Model 3 RWD), 4.4 seconds (Model 3 Long Range AWD) and 3.1 seconds (Model 3 Performance AWD). 

Top speed is 201 KM/H (Model 3 RWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD) and 262 KM/H (Model 3 Performance AWD).

Fortified is a 400 V electrical architecture, with 60 KWH (Model 3 RWD) and 79 KWH (Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Performance AWD) batteries (LG-sourced).

Variant Model 3 RWD sees a Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, producing a driving range of 513 KM (WLTP), fully charged (DC charging - 170KW). 

Variant Model 3 Long Range AWD has a Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery, yielding a driving range of 629 KM (WLTP), fully charged (DC charging - 250-KW). 

Variant Model 3 Performance AWD gets a Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, enabling a driving range of 528 KM (WLTP), fully charged (DC charging - 250-KW).

The Model 3 features these conveniences.

E.g., smart entry system with automated-doors (key fob, key card, phone key/Tesla app), power-tailgate (hands-free - key fob, Tesla app, touchscreen display), panoramic acoustic all-glass roof (tint protection - ultraviolet, infrared), Cabin Preconditioning (cabin heating/cooling), dual-zone automatic-climate control (HEPA filtration system with Bioweapon Defence Mode, rear-vents with dedicated controls), instrument cluster/infotainment (vehicle settings, voice control), rear infotainment display (entertainment, rear climate control), Tesla Mobile App, steering wheel (multi-function, gear lever, electric column adjustments, EPS), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior), electronic-powered seats (front-multi-way, heated/vented, lumbar - front, rear-armrests), wireless charger (dual connection), interior lighting (map, reading, ambient, boot), surround view cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (front, rear), regenerative braking system, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), dual-pane acoustic glass (front, rear - windshields, windows ) and speed-sensing door locks.

Installed is a dual-zone automatic-climate control (HEPA filtration system - Bioweapon Defence Mode) with rear-vents (8.0-Inch rear touchscreen - dedicated controls).

Also included is a Cabin Preconditioning (cabin heating/cooling) system.

Innovatively, by positioning the battery low in the centre of the underfloor, it allows for a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.

The front features an independent suspension setup (double wishbone, coil springs (helical springs), telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar with stabiliser link/bar). 

The rear features an independent setup (multi-link, coil springs (helical springs), telescopic shock absorbers).

Variant Model 3 Performance AWD upgrades with a ‘frequency selective damping’ (Tesla Adaptive Damping) system.

Overall, it is adequately spacious with firm handling and is very suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

Upgraded, the interior insulates sounds fairly well, accounting for all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. 

The cabin is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience, blocking-out majority of the exterior noises.

Featured are e-motors/battery encapsulation (vibration reduction), acoustic glass roof and dual-pane windows (tint protection - ultraviolet, infrared).

All in all, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises and make them barely noticeable, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts or at all speeds. 

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 is built with a futuristically and sophisticatedly sporty appeal, offering good looks, performance, and practicality.

Beautifully sculpted, the exterior is very well designed, with the clean and seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour. 

Quality and premium, the equipment and materials installed inside, impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the 2024 Model 3 e-saloon bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an energising driving pleasure with its fully-electrified drive.