2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Malaysian review – uprated ‘Highland’ is a performance bargain, RM242k

2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Malaysian review – uprated ‘Highland’ is a performance bargain, RM242k

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance was introduced in Malaysia in May, less than a month after it made its global debut. The most potent variant in the facelifted Model 3 ‘Highland’ range is priced priced from RM243,700 on-the-road without insurance (RM242,000 nett, plus a RM1,000 order fee, a RM500 delivery and admin fee, and a RM200 number plate fee), making it around RM30k more than the Long Range.

For that extra dosh, you get a ‘Performance Drive Unit’ setup consisting of an uprated dual-motor powertrain producing 460 hp, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 3.1 seconds (including a one-foot rollout subtraction) and a top whack of 261 km/h. The Performance has a WLTP-rated range of 528 km, placing it between the RWD’s 513 km and Long Range AWD’s 629 km.

Chassis revisions relative to the ‘regular’ Model 3 facelift include adaptive dampers, which accompany new springs, bushings and anti-roll bars, as well as a 10 mm lower ride height. There are also software changes, and these include Track Mode V3 with new calibration for the dampers as well as motors, a drift mode and the ability to vary ESC intervention and torque between the front and rear axles.

Exterior changes over the regular Model 3 variants include new front and rear bumpers, the front getting air curtain inlets and a new splitter, while the rear features a subtle rear diffuser. The car also gets dressed with all-black exterior trim and a carbon fibre rear lip spoiler, and aside from larger brakes with red callipers, rides on black 20-inch ‘Warp’ forged alloy units, wrapped with 235/35 front and 275/30 rear rubbers.

Inside, the Performance gets carbon-fibre trim, alloy pedals and new, more bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests and which omit seat back pockets. As with the other versions of the Model 3 range, cost options are offered for the Model 3 Performance, including that for upholstery and exterior finishes as well as kit such as Enhanced Autopilot.

For the price, the car is quite the performance bargain here in Malaysia, and Hafriz Shah thinks it handles better than expected too. However, he adds that it still has the usual Tesla “quirks.” Find out what he means in the video, below.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Sohai on Sep 23, 2024 at 11:24 am

    I am somewhat surprised by the verdict that, for an extra rm30k, Hafriz thinks the LR is a better buy.
    Considering brands like Porsche would charge that sum just for a wheels upgrade, Tesla is giving quite a lot for rm30k. The down fall of Tesla is most of that RM30k can’t be seen, reinforcing that people are more willing to pay for visual upgrade.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Najib on Sep 23, 2024 at 2:35 pm

    Still need to give way whem myvi flash high beam

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
    • Don’t worry, Some day you will also have enough money to buy a nicer car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ben Yap on Sep 23, 2024 at 2:46 pm

    Why is there RM1,000 order fee, a RM500 delivery and admin fee, and a RM200 number plate fee? I thought buying a Tesla is self-service and still need to pay?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Weewee on Sep 24, 2024 at 9:27 pm

      Well, if you prefer, they could just lump everything into the selling price and you won’t notice.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Ugly!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • will the New six-seat Tesla Model Y coming to Malaysia, it’s touted schedule for China.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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