Perhaps in response to the recently launched fully-electric (EV) Xiaomi YU7, which reportedly received 200,000 pre-orders in just three minutes, Tesla has now announced updates for the Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variants of its Model 3 and Model Y in China, CarNewsChina reports.
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD benefits the most from this update. Despite no changes made to its battery pack, its CLTC range is now boosted to 753 km, up from 713 km, while performance has also been boosted with a faster 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 3.8 seconds.
This performance boost is thanks to the previously optional acceleration boost package now being included as standard, a feature that used to cost CNY14,100 (approx. RM8.3k). Consequently, the sticker price for the updated Model 3 Long Range has increased to CNY285,500 (approx. RM168k).
The Model 3 line-up in China consists of three variants, with prices starting from CNY235,500 (approx. RM139k) for the base Rear-Wheel Drive with an unchanged 634 km (CLTC) range, the aforementioned updated Long Range AWD, and the Performance AWD with a range of 623 km (CLTC).
For the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD, its range has been extended to 750 km (CLTC) from 719 km, with pricing remain unchanged at CNY313,500 (approx. RM185k). The updated variant joins the base RWD variant, which offers 593 km (CLTC, unchanged) of range and is priced at CNY263,500 (approx. RM155k).
Neither of the changes to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Long Range AWD variants are reflected in any other markets, including here in Malaysia, which continue to quote a driving range of 629 km and 551 km (WLTP) respectively.
RELATED: China forces Tesla to rename “Full Self-Driving”, because it’s not actually fully autonomous
Tesla has been experiencing waning demand for its cars recently. CarNewsChina reports that the waiting period for a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y Long Range AWD variant in China has now been reduced to between one and three weeks, down from a previous three to five-week wait. This is a stark contrast to the reported 57 to 60-week waiting period for the Xiaomi YU7.
Separately, Tesla’s rollout of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China has also reportedly come to a halt just a week into its planned trial period. As a result, the Chinese government has forced Tesla to rebrand FSD as “Intelligent Assisted Driving,” reflecting the fact that it is still an SAE Level 2 system and not fully autonomous.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International has established the J3016 standards, which define autonomous driving capabilities from Level 0 to Level 5. Systems from Level 0 to Level 2 require the driver to remain in charge of the vehicle at all times. From Level 3 upwards, the car takes on more control, eventually needing no driver input at Level 5.
Despite Tesla’s claims of autonomous driving with minimal driver input, its FSD system is still classified as SAE Level 2, as drivers cannot yet take their eyes and attention completely off the road.
Closer to home, FSD is available as an RM32,000 option for the Model 3 and Model Y on the Tesla Malaysia website. However, despite being offered as an option, the feature is still not yet active in Malaysia, and it remains unclear when Tesla will enable the feature in Malaysia.
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