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Tesla launches new Model 3 Performance: 0-60 MPH in 2.9 seconds, 296 mi range, $52990

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Tesla has launched the new Model 3 Performance, an updated all-electric powerhouse with several notable changes to its affordable lineup.

Packing some serious power and bringing multiple cosmetic and performance changes to it, the Tesla Model 3 Performance will now feature improvements over the past iterations of the vehicle.

With a new drive unit that produces more continuous and peak power and 16 percent more peak torque, the Model 3 Performance is a faster vehicle than the last version and has better energy consumption.

Upgraded Tesla Model 3 Performance poised for Q2 launch: report

For months, Tesla has hinted toward the Model 3 Performance’s imminent release. What it would pack was a whole different story; we knew it was coming, just not where it would get better.

Now, Tesla has told us exactly what has arrived:

Performance-tuned chassis

“Same quiet & comfortable cabin plus bespoke chassis hardware for improved stiffness and higher performance baseline.”

More power, lower energy consumption

“New Performance 4th gen drive unit can deliver:

  • +22% continuous power
  • +32% peak power
  • +16% peak torque

compared to previous Model 3 Performance. All with lower total energy consumption!”

Tesla Model 3 Performance packs a new kick, leaked documents show

Tires and Wheels

Forged & staggered 20″ wheels and Pirelli P Zero 4 tires now come standard on the vehicle, providing better traction and limiting traction control interventions.

These options also increase range and lower rolling resistance for better comfort.

New Track Mode

More stability and predictability, along with a consistent experience, are expected with the new Track Mode V3.

Tesla used integrated motor and suspension controls, along with powertrain cooling, and Vehicle Dynamics Controllers (VDC) under a single, unified system.

New Adaptive Damping System

“Adjusts to driver & road inputs in real-time to optimize ride & handling while also improving ride comfort. Controlled via in-house software, which means it keeps improving via future over-the-air software updates.”

New Exterior Design and Improvements

The Model 3, across all configurations, has a new body style that Tesla decided to unleash with the release of Highland. Now, it is equipped with the Model 3 Performance, offering:

  • 5% reduced drag
  • 36% lift reduction
  • 55% improvement in front-to-rear lift balance compared to the previous Model 3 Performance

New Sport Seats

Better lateral support for cornering and dynamic driving, while offering the same functionality and comfort as previous.

Price

The new Model 3 Performance starts at $52,990 before federal tax credit and estimated gas savings.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on Twitter @KlenderJoey.

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Armored Tesla Cybertruck “War Machine” debuts at Defense Expo 2025

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Photo: Unplugged Performance

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Tesla Megapacks chosen for 548 MWh energy storage project in Japan

Tesla plans to supply over 100 Megapack units to support a large stationary storage project in Japan, making it one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla’s Megapack grid-scale batteries have been selected to back an energy storage project in Japan, coming as the latest of the company’s continued deployment of the hardware.

As detailed in a report from Nikkei this week, Tesla plans to supply 142 Megapack units to support a 548 MWh storage project in Japan, set to become one of the country’s largest energy storage facilities. The project is being overseen by financial firm Orix, and it will be located at a facility Maibara in central Japan’s Shiga prefecture, and it aims to come online in early 2027.

The deal is just the latest of several Megapack deployments over the past few years, as the company continues to ramp production of the units. Tesla currently produces the Megapack at a facility in Lathrop, California, though the company also recently completed construction on its second so-called “Megafactory” in Shanghai China and is expected to begin production in the coming weeks.

READ MORE ON TESLA MEGAPACKS: Tesla Megapacks help power battery supplier Panasonic’s Kyoto test site

Tesla’s production of the Megapack has been ramping up at the Lathrop facility since initially opening in 2022, and both this site and the Shanghai Megafactory are aiming to eventually reach a volume production of 10,000 Megapack units per year. The company surpassed its 10,000th Megapack unit produced at Lathrop in November.

During Tesla’s Q4 earnings call last week, CEO Elon Musk also said that the company is looking to construct a third Megafactory, though he did not disclose where.

Last year, Tesla Energy also had record deployments of its Megapack and Powerwall home batteries with a total of 31.4 GWh of energy products deployed for a 114-percent increase from 2023.

Other recently deployed or announced Megapack projects include a massive 600 MW/1,600 MWh facility in Melbourne, a 75 MW/300 MWh energy storage site in Belgium, and a 228 MW/912 MWh storage project in Chile, along with many others still.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla highlights the Megapack site replacing Hawaii’s last coal plant

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Elon Musk responds to Ontario canceling $100M Starlink deal amid tariff drama

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, opens new tab on February 3 that he was “ripping up” his province’s CA$100 million agreement with Starlink in response to the U.S. imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.

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NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk company SpaceX is set to lose a $100 million deal with the Canadian province of Ontario following a response to the Trump administration’s decision to apply 25 percent tariffs to the country.

Starlink, a satellite-based internet service launched by the Musk entity SpaceX, will lose a $100 million deal it had with Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced today.

Ford said on X today that Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts:

“We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink. Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy. Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win it.”

It is a blow to the citizens of the province more than anything, as the Starlink internet constellation has provided people in rural areas across the globe stable and reliable access for several years.

Musk responded in simple terms, stating, “Oh well.”

It seems Musk is less than enthused about the fact that Starlink is being eliminated from the province, but it does not seem like all that big of a blow either.

As previously mentioned, this impacts citizens more than Starlink itself, which has established itself as a main player in reliable internet access. Starlink has signed several contracts with various airlines and maritime companies.

It is also expanding to new territories across the globe on an almost daily basis.

With Mexico already working to avoid the tariff situation with the United States, it will be interesting to see if Canada does the same.

The two have shared a pleasant relationship, but President Trump is putting his foot down in terms of what comes across the border, which could impact Americans in the short term.

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