Updated Tesla Model 3 in showrooms now

TESLA has examples of its updated 2024 Model 3 all-electric sedan available to view in Australian showrooms ahead of initial customer deliveries in the first quarter of next year.

Significant tweaks to the interior and exterior are aimed at keeping it within striking distance of an ever-growing range of competitors.

For the MY24 overhaul, the Tesla Model 3 receives upgraded suspension with new mounting points, revised bushings and frequency-dependent damper valving aimed at addressing concerns related to the outgoing model’s ride quality and road noise.

To further this improvement, Tesla has opted to fit the Model 3 with model-specific Michelin tyres that help quell road noise while also improving rolling efficiency, and therefore range.

Other noise suppression features include a reprofiled front fascia, underbody and windscreen cowl Tesla says reduces buffeting at highway speeds.

All glass is now acoustic insulated to further hush the volume inside the Model 3’s cabin, while thicker carpeting – and the use of carpet in areas that were previously plastic – aim to reduce sound transfer from the body to the cabin.

The use of additional material inside the cabin also aims to provide the Model 3 with a more premium feel – these include on the door cards, dashboard, and seat backs. Additionally, the seats have been re-sculpted to offer increased comfort.

Newly introduced interior features include a smaller frame around the central infotainment screen, ventilated front seats, an upgraded radio antenna and in-cabin microphones, rear-seat combined climate control and media screen, a 17-speaker audio system (up from 14 speakers previously), an extended LED ambient lighting package, new steering wheel buttons, and stalkless indicators.

The stalkless steering column means the Model 3’s drive modes (P-R-N-D) are moved to the central touchscreen and the indicators to buttons on the steering wheel spokes.

Importantly, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 features redesigned doors with improved side-impact structure, a frontal far-side airbag, and an upgraded in-cabin infrared camera. The Tesla Model 3 last received an ANCAP rating in 2019 (five stars), however, it is unknown whether the vehicle will be retested to newer standards.

GoAuto understands all other mechanical components of the Model 3, including the drive motors and battery packs, are unaltered from those of the current line-up.

Rear-wheel drive standard range variants (from $61,900 plus on-road costs) offer an output of 190kW/375Nm while the all-wheel drive long range (from $71,900 + ORC) delivers 307kW/510Nm.

Acceleration times for the duo remain unchanged at 6.1 and 4.4 seconds respectively.

The flagship Performance model is due to be announced at a later date and is rumoured to up the ante due to badging shared with the searing Model S and Model X Plaid flagships being spotted in documentation.

Optionally, the Tesla Model 3 is available with a tyre repair kit ($125), interior ceiling sunshade ($140), Enhanced Autopilot ($5100), and the so-called Full Self Driving technology suite ($10,100).

The Model 3 is backed by a short four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and eight-year battery warranty.

Rear-wheel drive model’s Chinese-sourced battery packs are covered for 160,000km while the Panasonic-sourced battery in the all-wheel drive model is warranted for 192,000km.

In the six years since it was introduced, the Tesla Model 3 has sold over two million units globally and remains one of Australia’s best-selling cars. Tesla says the Model 3 has “played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of electric cars” while also “shifting the perceptions about EV ownership”.

To the end of October this year, Tesla has sold an impressive 15,718 units of the Model 3 in Australia, more than every other competitor in the medium passenger cars over $60K segment combined.