As the Tesla Model 3 Performance version is about to make it into stores all around North America, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed others features of the upcoming vehicle: the suspension will be 1 cm lower than normal and it will feature ‘stronger’ brakes.
When Tesla updated the Model 3 options and pricing last month, it broke down the Performance upgrades unrelated to the powertrain in a new package.
Buyers can add the “Performance Upgrades” package for $5,000. It includes an increase of the top speed from 145 to 155, a carbon fiber spoiler, 20” performance wheels, and aluminum alloy pedals, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and red performance brake calipers.
Musk is now confirming that they are also lowering the suspension and that those brakes are “stronger” than the non-performance version:
Performance version suspension is 1cm lower & has stronger brakes in upgrade package
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2018
It’s interesting in the context that some Model 3 owners have already been lowering slightly the suspension through aftermarket modifications and reporting better handling performance.
Tesla’s “performance vehicles”, in Model S and Model X, generally feature air suspension with variable heights. The Performance Model 3 is only offered with coil suspension.
As for the brakes, we saw a Model 3 make a hot lap on the race track, the driver was quite surprised by the performance, but he did complain about the brakes in a high usage setting.
Another Model 3 owner brought his car to the Laguna race track with aftermarket brake pads and noted a much better experience.
Now it looks like stronger brakes will come stock when ordering the Performance version of the Model 3.
Musk gave his seal of approval to the version of the car this morning – saying that driving the car is ‘like having pure fun jacked straight into your brain whenever you want’:
Whether you plan to buy a Dual Motor Performance Model 3 or not, take it for a test drive anyway. It’s like having pure fun jacked straight into your brain whenever you want.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2018
People are going to be able to drive it soon as Tesla built a fleet of over 100 Model 3 Performance vehicles to be used for test drives in stores all around North America.
As we have been reporting recently, Tesla is rapidly moving away from its ‘anti-selling’ of the Model 3 with now sales commission for its staff when selling the Performance version and moving away from the reservation process.
Tesla is trying to become profitable by the end of the year and it appears that the Performance Model 3 is a big part of that plan.
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