2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance: Quick Drive

Tesla has just released the new Model 3 Performance in Australia.  Sprinting to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds and priced from $80,900 (plus on road costs), Tesla hopes to dominate market share in the emerging performance EV space, but can this car win the hearts and dollars of performance car enthusiasts?

At a glance:

Highs

  • Blistering acceleration and performance numbers

  • Excellent value when compared with EVs of similar performance (e.g. Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Ioniq 5N)

  • 528km range (claimed WLTP)

Lows:

  • Steering feedback is basically non-existent

  • Subdued styling doesn’t provide enough differentiation from the base model

  • Majority of car functions controlled via touch screen which is not intuitive and often distracting

Sliding into the driver’s seat of the Tesla Model 3 Performance for the first time, you are immediately struck by the simplicity of the interior. It’s a minimalist design, devoid of buttons, stalks, and switches. The cabin is dominated by a single iPad-style screen, which controls nearly everything, including the steering column positioning and side view mirrors. Instead of the traditional indicator stalk, functions like turn signals, lights, and windscreen washers are managed via buttons on the steering wheel. The sports seats, exclusive to the Performance variant, are adorned with the Performance ‘Hyperspace’ logo. They offer comfort, ventilation, and ample bolstering to secure the driver during spirited cornering.

‘Drive’ is selected by swiping in a forward motion, as you would on a smart phone, on the central screen as there is no gear shifter. The screen has also been used to select ‘Insane’ acceleration mode, but creeping out of the Tesla carpark, shows the throttle to be easy to modulate smoothly as the car eases into city traffic. Regenerative braking occurs as soon as you lift off the accelerator, and while there is no way to turn this off, you quickly become

Out on the open road, the acceleration is monumental from any speed once the throttle is tickled, instantly deploying a combined 343kW from its drive units, leaving no doubt that the claimed 0-100km/h time is legitimate. Tesla claims a top speed of 261km/h and the high-performance brakes consistently and reliably haul down the Model 3 Performance from high speeds, although it does so without imparting much feel or progression to the driver. Similarly, the steering is devoid of feel and feedback. The steering wheel is small in diameter, and combined with a quick ratio, delivers nimble and sporty direction changes, however the driver is robbed of confidence due to a lack of feel and knowledge of what the front tyres are doing.

Refreshingly, there are only two suspension modes to choose from, standard and a sports mode, and on a limited test drive, standard proved comfortable, compliant and capable on Australian tarmac. There is a ‘Track Mode’ (not tested), which allows customisation of the powertrain, suspension, stability and regenerative braking.

Visually, compared with a regular Model 3, the ‘Performance’ variant is differentiated by subtly redesigned front and rear fascias, rear diffuser and carbon fibre rear spoiler. It also gains staggered, 20-inch forged wheels, shod with Pirelli P-Zero tyres. There is a discrete ‘hyperspace’ badge on the boot and on the performance seats and some carbon fibre weave pattern adorns the interior. Overall, only an automotive ‘anorak’ will notice the differences over the base model and Joe Public will not realise that you have splashed out on the ‘cooking’ variant.

Will the Tesla Model 3 Performance appeal to driving enthusiasts? Unlikely. The car simply doesn’t provide enough driver involvement to be genuinely engaging. It is fast, comfortable, practical and excellent value for money but suffers from its lack of feel and feedback in the crucial areas of steering and braking. While the centrally mounted screen provides all necessary information for an enthusiastic driver, it demands the driver divert their eyes away from the road and lacks the emotion delivered by many driver centric sports car gauges. The Model 3 Performance is fast and refined and will be thoroughly enjoyed by many motorists, but lacks the fun factor needed to woo petrolheads into an EV for the first time.