China’s new Tesla Model 3+ is essentially a single-motor Long Range version of the sedan, featuring up to 830 km of range.
The ever-popular Tesla Model 3 has gained a new variant in China, simply known as the Tesla Model 3+, at least according to the filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). This new Model 3 variant is essentially an updated single-motor Long Range variant of the saloon, featuring up to 830 km of CLTC range.
The new Model 3+ slots between the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range AWD variants, featuring a more potent single-motor RWD powertrain setup rated at 306 PS (225 kW), as stated in the MIIT filing. This setup allows the Model 3+ a slightly quicker century sprint time of 5.2 seconds over the standard RWD’s 6.1-second time.
As for the battery, CarNewsChina reported that the new Model 3+ will use a new 78.4-kWh NMC battery pack sourced from LG, which is the same unit used on the LR AWD variant. Thanks to its single-motor setup, the Model 3+ gets a better maximum CLTC range of up to 830 km, Tesla claims.
For reference, the maximum CLTC range figures for both the China-spec Model 3 RWD and LR AWD are 634 km and 753 km, respectively.
That said, it seems that the powertrain and battery specs for the China-only Model 3+ mirror the LR RWD variant of the Model 3 in Europe. While it features the same performance figures, the EU-spec Model 3 LR RWD gets a more realistic WLTP range of 702 km, making it the Model 3 variant with the most range in the European market.
Besides the powertrain details, there’s not much difference between the new Model 3+ and the rest of the Model 3 lineup in China, with the new variant still based on the facelifted Model 3 ‘Highland.’ This LR RWD variant is now available on sale in China, with prices starting from CNY 269,500 (RM158,666) before options.
With the Model 3 LR RWD variant already debuted in both Europe and China, could this model make its Malaysian appearance soon? As of writing, Tesla Malaysia only offers the Model 3 ‘Highland’ in three variants, namely the standard RWD (RM181,000), LR AWD (RM210,000), and the Performance AWD (RM242,000).
