Here are the very first tests of the new Tesla Model 3

If you don’t have the time (or not the desire) to peel all these first tests, rest assured, we did it for you. Here are the positive and negative points that emerge. Keep in mind that this is a first handling of a few tens of minutes, not a full test.

Test – Tesla Model 3 Great autonomy: our exclusive Highland handling

Expected firm foot by all enthusiasts of electric vehicles and more particularly of Tesla, the model 3 restyled has just been created. Known in popular culture as the Highland project, the sedan benefits from a deep feather. On paper, developments clearly improve comfort and sound level on board. We only had to get the wheel for a first assessment.

Now in daylight, the Tesla Model 3 allows you to better look at its cosmetic improvements. And this is particularly the case inside, where the new dashboard and unpublished materials give the sedan a more refined atmosphere than before. A feeling emphasized by the disappearance of commodos on the steering column, replaced by touch keys on the steering wheel. Admittedly, ergonomics is not as natural as with traditional stems, but we quickly take the helping hand after a few intellectual gymnastics. After a few roundabouts, we know where to click to activate the indicators. Fortunately, the family sedan, however, had the good idea not to take over the half-flying of her big sister.

This marks the break with the previous version, just like driving sensations from the first laps. As on a Tesla Model S, the walking command is now located on the screen, which allows you to activate the meaning of the desired walking, but also the recoil cameras of the old version.

More comfort on board

From the first laps, the Tesla Model 3 is very quickly more comfortable than the previous version. And this is above all the case at the back, where percussion in the lower back are less violent. Much less brittle on the wrong fittings, without being unreasonably flexible, the sedan therefore seems to find a good compromise between comfort and body maintenance, without taking exaggerated roll in the corners. Behavior that is obvious when you go from the old version to this new vintage.

If Tesla has not precisely listed the changes to springs and shock absorbers, the brand has however indicated that the geometry settings have been reviewed. A technical choice undoubtedly motivated by the desire to make the Model 3 a little less demanding than before in terms of behavior. Above all, more stable and comfortable, the sedan is now a little more underreightly as soon as it is caused. We bet, however, that these are situations rarely encountered by most drivers of this high autonomy version.

Less obvious acoustic developments

In terms of acoustic comfort, the new Tesla Model 3 blows hot and cold. Admittedly, we will have to return to our usual roads to judge efforts in high speed soundproofing on the highway, where rolling and aerodynamic noises are the most annoying. On the other hand, for the moment, we have not noticed any truly significant differences in the ear compared to the old generation. If it is a little more true at the front, it is much less at the back, where the resonance of the Hankook tires (size 235/40 R19), yet equipped with Sound Absorber technology, is heard.

Nevertheless, preliminary measures carried out with a calibrated soundometer application have shown by figures for improvements. Admittedly, the method used during this very rapid presentation is rudimentary in the face of our habits as part of a Superret, which forces us to make reservations on absolute values. Especially since these were recorded on a very grainy road. However, this made it possible to highlight a fairly significant gap of three points between the two vintages, on the same road and at a stabilized speed of 80 km/h. To give you an idea, this gap very generally corresponds to that which can be observed between 80 and 130 km/h aboard the same car.

In any event, the regulars of the model will undoubtedly feel the differences, whether to discuss on board, pass better quality phone calls or let the children watch a Netflix program or a YouTube video via the new rear screen, functional by driving. For the less accustomed, the level could always seem a bit high.

Barely more autonomy

For the rest, the Tesla Model 3 Highland remains a reference in terms of efficiency and recharge. Alas, this short test did not allow us to carry out the slightest statement of significant consumption, or even recharge test. However, we noted an appetite gravitating around 14 kWh/100 km despite our excesses. But, during a much more peaceful course, this figure got closer to the 11 kWh/100 km. In short, whether in terms of consumption and therefore autonomy, users will have no surprises.

If the traction chain has not benefited from any evolution, the gains in autonomy are due to more favorable aerodynamics, and will therefore be observed on the highway, at least above 80-90 km /h, threshold from which air resistance is preponderant. We will have the opportunity to check this precisely when the car is available with us. In the meantime, let us recall that the electric sedan now announces a WLTP autonomy of 629 km (+27 km) in this test configuration, with the 19 -inch rims. With the smaller mounting, the manufacturer estimates the autonomy at 678 km (+52 km).

The Tesla Model 3 Great Autonomy is always based on a battery, with a useful capacity estimated at 75 kWh. On the recharge side, it can always seek a peak power of 250 kW, which allows you to perform the 10-80 % in around thirty minutes. Alternating recharge is always entrusted to an 11 kW charger.

An evolution in continuity

Much more qualitative and rigorous inside, the restyled Tesla Model 3 approaches the standards found on the latest generation of Model S, and even manages to give an old shot to the previous version launched in 2017. The family also matures with better suspension comfort, now acceptable for a car in this category, while behavior is wiser. Proof of this is this desire with top speed now bridled at 201 km/h. However, the sedan is still capable of cutting the word to passengers if the driver does a little too much: in addition to 0-100 km/h in 4.4 s, we measured an 80-120 km/h in less of 2.5 s in the most lively mode.

Evolution rather than revolution, the Tesla Model 3 therefore corrects its main defects. If our ears have perceived a very fine gain in terms of sound level on board, without more, our first exclusive measures highlighted more marked improvements. But it is indeed in terms of comfort on board that the sedan, dedicated to chaining the kilometers, evolves most significantly. It remains to be seen whether all these updates will be sufficient for Model 3 in the rest of his career. If there is no doubt that the Tesla Model will continue to seduce drivers more, the sedan could quickly be tickled by the competition, especially Chinese, which arrives stronger and louder. But Tesla has a serious advance in terms of image and price: this Tesla Model 3 Great Autonomy is available from € 50,990 (excluding bonuses), or € 1,000 that the previous version.

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Here are the very first tests of the new Tesla Model 3

The new Tesla Model 3 was unveiled on Friday September 1st. And the first essays of journalists and influencers have just been published this Saturday, September 2. Here is what to remember from these first impressions on the new electric car of the company of Elon Musk.

The new Tesla Model 3 was unveiled by surprise this Friday, September 1, 2023. But only in China and Europe. In the United States, we must still be satisfied with the previous version, as long as the Fremont factory has not been upgraded. The first copies of the new Tesla Model 3 restyled (Highland Project) came out of Shanghai’s production channels a few weeks ago. These are the copies that were shown to part of the Auto press (around twenty journalists).

And it was also these copies that could be tested on open road, Norway, by some handpicked media. For France, these are our colleagues fromClean automotive who had the chance to drive with the car, as well as the influencer Jojol. And since they do not do things by halves, they have of course each shooting their own video of their experience.

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But they are not the only ones to have them the chance to take the wheel of the new Tesla Model 3. We can also cite, internationally, Auto because, what car or auto top and Car wow

If you don’t have the time (or not the desire) to peel all these first tests, rest assured, we did it for you. Here are the positive and negative points that emerge. Keep in mind that this is a first handling of a few tens of minutes, not a full test.

The positive points of the new Tesla Model 3

All the testers agree on one point: The new Tesla Model 3 is much quieter than the old. And that is heard in the videos, since some journalists have tried the old Model 3 under the same conditions, and the difference is obvious.

Clean automotive measured a difference of approximately 3 dB, which results in a noise divided by two in practice ! Be careful however, it would seem that we are still not at the level of certain premium cars such as the Germans, nor at the height of a byd Seal.

The other good news is that, as announced by the firm of Elon Musk, the restyled version of this electric car is more comfortable. All this thanks to the new suspensions and the new tires which allow to better filter the irregularities of the road. But that does not distort, a priori, not too much the sporting character of the Model 3 with a precise direction and long live.

The 15.4 -inch central screen, announced as brighter pleases different journalists, who qualifies it more responsive. Is this the new AMD chip present in the Model S and Model X which allows you to play video games on Steam ? Tesla has not yet specified this information.

Autonomy increases, But only thanks to the more aerodynamic design and the new tires. What to offer up to 678 km in large autonomy version. Which implies a weight that does not move (very slightly increased on propulsion and declining on the great autonomy), which allows to keep a Dynamic car behavior and ultra-performance braking.

The testers also have appreciated the 8 -inch screen for rear passengers. It is thus possible to launch a video (YouTube, Netflix or Twitch) on it while driving. But some would have preferred a screen acting as an instrumentation handset for the driver instead. Or at least, a head -up display that would have made it possible to keep the minimalist design of the driving station.

In the rear seats, The new seats are more comfortable, But do not benefit from the “ventilated seats” option present at the front and pleasant in summer.

The speakers in the high autonomy version (17 as well as 2 bass boxes) seem to have won all the testers, with powerful bass and good audio quality.

The new Tesla Model 3 recovers the commodos (indicators, headlight calls, front / rear step and ice cream) of the models and models which had hardly convinced us during our tests. These are always tactile pimples with haptic feedback, but the testers announce a considerable improvement, With the feeling of dealing with a real physical button that sinks in depth.

But this novelty did not allow the essayers to love this functionality as you will see.

The negative points from there Tesla Model 3

The disappearance of commodos and the integration of buttons on the steering wheel displeases all testers. These latter prefer conventional commands, Especially for indicators. The example that comes up most often is that of the roundabout: difficult to press the right button, whose location (and the direction) varies according to the tilt of the steering wheel !

The other negative point is The absence (as on the old version) of a screen for the driver, in the form of an instrumentation handset, to more easily see the speed of the vehicle.

This is what we also criticize in our article “What is wrong with the new Tesla Model 3” recently published.

These trials did not make it possible to test the autopilot and the semi-autonomous driving features, which were disabled on these pre-series cars. It is surely for this reason that the new front camera integrated into the bumper is not visible on these videos and photos. It should arrive on production versions.

It will then be necessary to check whether the lack of radar and ultrasound sensor continues to be restrictive for low -speed maneuvers with Tesla Vision. And if Tesla will finally decide to offer a real 360 -degree view like most of its competitors.

Should we buy the Tesla Model 3 ?

We will have to wait for the “official” tests in the coming weeks to find out more. But with an increase rate of “only” 1,000 euros in France and an autonomy up more than 10 %, the new Tesla Model 3 remains the reference in terms of value for money.

If you were looking for an electric car and the old Tesla Model 3 was in your target, the news seems even more recommendable. If you want to know more about the new Tesla Model 3, you can read our article on the 40 new products between the old and the new version.

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