Facelifted Tesla Model 3 Performance Could Deliver 618 HP

It’s no secret that Tesla loves big horsepower numbers and with the updated Model 3 Performance, it appears poised to give it a significant boost over the model it replaces.

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A lot has been said about the mysterious lack of a new flagship variant of the facelifted Model 3 which debuted last year. Now, certification documents to emerge out of South Korea have revealed that Tesla will equip the new model with an upgraded rear electric motor known as 4D2. Whereas the rear motor of the original Model 3 Performance delivered 335 hp (250 kW), this new one is rated at an impressive 406 hp (303 kW).

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This motor will be supplemented by the same front motor as the old model, rated at 212 hp (158 kW). All up, the motors will give the new Model 3 Performance a cool 618 hp, slightly more than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s 601 hp when its 40 hp boost function isn’t enabled.

The document also indicates the new rear motor will reach peak power at approximately 68 mph (110 km/h) whereas the old motor reached peak power at 47 mph (75 km/h). This should help the car accelerate quicker than ever. The new Model 3 Performance is expected to have a nominal battery capacity of 82 kWh, the same as before, although Tesla itself has a habit of not promoting the battery capacities of many of its models. The range should still be good for 270 miles (430 km) per the Korean testing cycle, which is stricter than that of the EPA in North America.

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Tesla has not revealed when the new Model 3 Performance will launch but it was recently spotted filming promotional footage for the new car in Spain, meaning a debut shouldn’t be far away.