The Evolution of Innovation: The New Tesla Model 3

 

Tesla has introduced EVs to the mainstream, and the manufacturer continues to shine, even in increasingly competitive market for EVs. The automaker has always pushed boundaries and has been a trailblazer in this space, and new Model 3 is a testament that this pattern continues to this day.

Newly released Tesla Model 3 is a prime example of brilliant, yet efficient design that is going to once again re-define standards for all electric vehicles on the market.

So far, the new Tesla Model 3 is only available in Europe, Australia, and certain markets in Asia. This is understandable, and probably the result of faster and more efficient production lines in Gigafactory Shanghai.

Tesla is not available in the US, and we don’t even know when it will become available. We also can not predict what it’s price is going to be. We can, however, study the car based on prototypes from Chinese factory, and look at prices in Europe and Asia and try to guess the price of Model 3 that is yet to be released in the US.

A Refreshed Look

Tesla kept secrecy about the appearance of its new Model 3. But now, since the car is released to the public (at least in markets outside the US) we can study every nook and cranny and report what has changed and what’s the same.

To say that 2024 Model 3 got a significant upgrade to exterior aesthetics would be an understatement. New headlights are much sleeker, and look more aggressive. They look a lot like headlights on Tesla Model S.

The entire front of the car got significant upgrades. Bumper is now more streamlined and minimalistic, and most importantly, more efficient. Tesla said that the main reason for exterior changes was to improve aerodynamic efficiency of the car.

Car no longer has fog lights on the front. This feature was sacrificed for the sake of efficiency.

Overall, it’s hard to deny that new Model 3 is a beautiful car with a much needed exterior upgrade. Last several years, Model 3 cars’ appearance did not change much.

Improved Range

One of the most impressive updates is the enhanced driving range. The new Model 3 boasts up to 423 miles of range on a single charge [^4^]. This improvement reinforces Tesla's commitment to making electric vehicles a viable option for long-distance travel.

I am sad to report that the new Model 3 has the same battery as 2023 version. However, I am happy to report that despite having the same battery, range of the car increased by about %10 to 421 miles for a long range trim. Rear wheel drive is capped at 344 miles, which is still plenty for traveling in the city. Even if you are planning a long-distance trip, faster superchargers and 170KwH maximum charging speed allows you to add 200-250 miles worth of charge in about 15-20 minutes.

You may be surprised as to how that’s possible. Remember when we said that Tesla redesigned the car for efficiency? We meant efficiency on the road. Thanks to aerodynamic design, car requires less energy to travel per kilometer. Therefore it needs less electricity power per kilometer, and the standard battery capacity lasts much longer.

Interior

Changes to the new Model 3 were not limited to the exterior. Interior got significant overhaul as well. According to Tesla, they changed over 50% of all components in the interior.

First and most noticeable change is the new ambient lighting. This is an LED strip that runs throughout the car. It provides minimal lighting in the dark, but looks very cool. Control panel allows you to choose any color on the wheel.

Next, wooden dashboards and door trims are finally replaced with a non-woven fabric. For many Tesla drivers, this will be a nice change of pace. If we look at discussions of tesla model 3 white interior vs black, most Tesla owners were not fans of wooden components in black interior.

Back seats got a lot of improvements as well. Passengers now have access to two USB-C ports to charge their phones without asking the driver. More importantly, back of the center console features a smaller control panel for passengers to adjust climate settings, control stereo, and enjoy basic entertainment options.

This is a nice addition considering that passing phones around is not fun for everyone, driver or his/her passengers.

Advanced Features

Tesla finally got ventilated seats. This is one area where Elon Musks’s automaker lacked. Competitors of Model 3 already had ventilated seats. This is an important feature and a major selling point for those living in hot climates like California. Important thing is that Tesla has finally caught up to the competition. Just like normal air climate controls, you can use Tesla app on your phone to cool seats ahead of time. This way, you can take off in comfort without slightest delay.

It's interesting what features the new Model Y is going to have. You can find model y 2024 release date in this blog post.

Competitive Pricing

2024 Model 3 was a major overhaul in every way. The car has new features, a different look, and longer ranges. Despite this, if you look at prices in Europe, the 2024 Model 3 RWD trim costs only 1000 euros more than its predecessor model. This is simply too good to pass up.

If you’re a prospective buyer looking for your first electric car, I think Model 3 is the best choice by a long shot. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but to me, Model 3 looks better than all of its competitors in the same price range. It offers more range than most of its competitors, and an excellent powertrain for quick acceleration.

Simply put, the new Model 3 is an unbeatable value for the price.

Conclusion

Tesla once again proved doubters wrong and released a car that looks good, works well, and conserves energy. You couldn’t ask for anything better. My only hope is that 2024 Model 3 is released in the US soon, and price isn’t outrageous. Although considering Tesla’s tendency to cut prices, I think it’s more likely that these cars are only going to get cheaper.