The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 ‘Highland’ facelift has been unveiled, and together with it, its prices for Malaysia have also been listed on the Tesla Malaysia website. Now open for order in Malaysia, the Tesla Model 3 starts at RM189,000 for the rear-wheel drive variant and top off at RM218,000 for the dual-motor long-range all-wheel drive variant.
- Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive – RM189,000
- Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive – RM218,000
Tesla says that it has changed about 50% of the Tesla Model 3 during this life cycle update, so the update isn’t cosmetic only. The facelift introduces a new front fascia and a new rear end design, essentially ‘reskinning’ the Tesla Model 3. Together with the new look, Tesla has also added two new exterior colours for the Model 3 – Ultra Red and Stealth Grey. All else, the exterior design remains pretty much the same.
Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned to modernize the Tesla Model 3 with the addition of ambient lighting at the base of the windscreen and a new design for the trim that runs the width of the dashboard (this can be personalized). The large landscape head unit remains.
Perhaps the most unique thing on the inside of the Tesla Model 3 would be its new steering wheel – Its weirdest thing is the lack of an indicator stalk. To indicate, you must do it via the touch buttons located on the left spoke of the steering wheel. The gear selector stalk remains on the right side of the steering wheel.
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Complementing the new dashboard design is a redesigned centre console. It has been given some new shiny trims to make it feel more premium. One thing we cannot see is the build quality of the Model 3’s cabin. According to Tesla, this has been improved together with the noise insulation levels inside the car.
Speaking of noise insulation levels, the Model 3 now gets acoustic glass (double glazed) for all windows instead of just the windscreen and front windows. More sound insulation has been added and the Model 3 gets a new set of specially developed tyres to keep the ride nice and quiet.
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No changes have been made to the high-voltage battery and the motors. No power outputs are listed on the official website, but what we do know is that the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant does the century sprint in 6.1 seconds while the dual-motor version does it in 4.4 seconds. Both have the same top speed of 201 km/h.
The range is listed at 513 km for the RWD version and 629 km for the dual-motor long-rangee version. This range is higher than its pre-facelift models and is credited mainly due to its improved aerodynamics.
Like the Tesla Model Y in Malaysia, the Tesla Model 3 comes with only 1 colour option as standard and that is Pearl White Multi-Coat. All other colour options will come at an extra cost. Also like the Model Y, Enhanced AutoPilot will cost an additional RM16,000 while Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability will cost an additional RM32,000.
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