Elon Musk tweets about dual-motor AWD Tesla Model 3 – faster than a BMW M3 and ‘with better handling’

Elon Musk tweets about dual-motor AWD Tesla Model 3 – faster than a BMW M3 and ‘with better handling’

Here’s more hype for a car that’s facing production delays. Tesla chief Elon Musk has revealed technical details on a dual-motor performance version of the Tesla Model 3 on Twitter, while also saying that the US$78k (RM310k) car – more than double the original $35k (RM139k) Tesla for the masses vision – is 15% faster than a BMW M3, with better handling to boot.

Adding another motor to the Tesla Model 3 will give it AWD and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), a 500 km range (310 miles) and 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.5 seconds, according to Musk.

That’s the performance version of the dual-motor Model 3 – a “normal” version of the two motor car will have the same 500 km range with 0-96 km/h in 4.5 seconds and a 225 km/h (140 mph) top speed. This one will add US$5,000 (RM20k) to the price of a standard single rear-motor Model 3 with 258 hp/430 Nm and a 0-96 km/h time of 5.6 seconds.

Elon Musk tweets about dual-motor AWD Tesla Model 3 – faster than a BMW M3 and ‘with better handling’

“Tesla dual motor means there is a motor in front and a motor in rear. One is optimised for power and one for range. Car drives fine even if a motor breaks down. Helps ensure you make it to your destination and don’t get stuck on side of road in potentially unsafe conditions,” Musk explained.

As for the performance version, the bullish Tesla boss says that it will be priced at US$78k (RM310k) for a fully optioned car without Autopilot, which is “about the same as a BMW M3“. However, the Model 3 will be “15% quicker and with better handling” than Munich’s performance icon. Not just that, the Model 3 AWD “will beat anything in its class on the track.”

Those are some serious claims from Musk, especially those concerning handling and track ability, and there will be plenty of regular car fans that will be watching closely. But if the current production troubles afflicting the Model 3 are anything to go by, the anticipated M3 vs Model 3 match-up should be some distance away in the horizon.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • But a Tesla dun have the interior refinement of a Beemer, much less an M3.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
  • And then the autonomous driving kills the passenger and the company keeps burning billions of profit every year…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • heybadigol (Member) on May 21, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    At least the M3 will sound better. But isn’t it better compared to the Porsche Mission E, since its also all electric? Or is the Porsche further up the affordability scale than the Tesla?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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