Tesla has just launched a very special and very interesting version of the Model 3 in the United States
This is the Long Range Propulsion version that we do not have in Europe at the moment. It is a Tesla Model 3 that integrates a large battery with a capacity of about 80 kWh, with a single motor, on the rear axle.
More than 700 km of autonomy
In practice, this version of the Tesla Model 3 breaks a range record, thanks to lower consumption than the Long Range All-Wheel Drive version available in France. In the United States, the American manufacturer announces a range of 584 km on the local EPA cycle. In Europe, with our WLTP cycle, we can expect a range of around 720 km. Compare this with the 678 km range of the classic Long Range currently sold in Europe.
Performance
Top speed is still limited to 200 km/h, and 0 to 96 km/h (0 to 60 mph) is now done in 4.9 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than its big brother. In Europe, you can expect 0 to 100 km/h in around 5 seconds.
A version sold in Europe?
It is not yet known whether this new Tesla Model 3 will be sold in Europe. It was initially designed for America, thanks to its battery that allows it to have access to the bonus. It then becomes less expensive than its big sister equipped with all-wheel drive. In Europe, such a version would also make sense, especially since it was already on sale in 2023, to sell off stocks of the old Model 3.
It should be noted, however, that the Model 3s sold in Europe are manufactured in China and not in the United States. This means that local production lines will have to be slightly revised to be able to produce this model locally.
In Europe, we could expect a price slightly below the 50,490 euros claimed by the Grande Autonomie Transmission Intégrale. It could come to make the link with the Propulsion version (and its smaller 60 kWh battery) sold from 41,490 euros since the recent price increase.
And the competition?
Tesla is hitting hard with this version of the Model 3, since few manufacturers offer electric cars of this size with a range of more than 700 km. We can mention the Volkswagen ID.7, which is however longer and more expensive (€59,990), and which achieves the feat of reaching 702 km of autonomy with a larger capacity battery, of 86 kWh despite its APP550 engine.