Tesla’s Model 3+ Is the Range King We Didn’t Expect

July 19, 2025 / Billboard Lifestyle /

Tesla’s Model 3+ Is the Range King We Didn’t Expect originally appeared on Autoblog.

Tesla Has Improved the Model 3, But There’s Room for Growth

Last year, Tesla unveiled a major update for the Model 3, the first redesign since its launch. The update first appeared in China before a roll-out to North America, featuring aerodynamic improvements, sleek styling tweaks (such as revised taillights and smoother front fascia), and a quieter cabin thanks to acoustic laminated glass and refined wheel/tire combination.

The refreshed Model 3 Long Range RWD offers 363 miles under EPA, marking a 10% improvement in efficiency and range over previous versions. Despite these substantial upgrades, the Model 3’s range still leaves room for growth, especially with newer rivals in the market.

Tesla might be working on that, though, as a new “Model 3＋” has emerged, spotted in China’s regulatory filings by CarNewsChina.

Tesla

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A Better Battery Comes the “+”

The Model 3＋ is a single‑motor, rear‑wheel‑drive variant, combining the efficiency of an RWD drivetrain with the energy density of an LG‑supplied ternary NMC battery, previously reserved for AWD trims. The result is a setup that aims to deliver the longest range yet on a Model 3. The base RWD in China (62.5 kWh LFP) achieves 394 miles CLTC, while the Long Range AWD (78.4 kWh NMC) hits 468 miles.

By merging RWD efficiency with NMC’s higher performance, analysts estimate the Model 3＋ could stretch beyond 497 miles under CLTC. There’s also a power bump: filings from China’s MIIT indicate a 302-hp RWD motor, up from the 260-hp motor in the existing base RWD variant.

According to reports, Tesla plans to price it around 270,000 Chinese yuan, or around $37,600 at the current exchange rates, slotting it neatly between the base RWD and Long Range AWD trims, with a launch expected in early September.

Of note, the CLTC cycle here tends to be more forgiving than the EPA ratings in the US, so real‑world performance will likely fall short of the CLTC figures.

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The Battery Tech That Can Improve American Teslas

The emergence of the Model 3＋ suggests a compelling opportunity for Tesla’s American lineup. The automaker already offers a Long Range RWD with a 79.7 kWh NMC battery and 363 EPA‑mile range. Adopting the Model 3＋’s battery‑plus‑RWD setup domestically could edge the EPA range closer to 400 miles, especially if further efficiency optimizations are applied.

Technical feasibility seems strong: the motor appears globally sourced (not China‑specific), and NMC packs are already built at Tesla’s US plants. Key considerations will include cost, manufacturing complexity, and consumer appetite for another trim option. If the range boost is substantial – say, a 30–40‑mile gain over current Long Range models – it could become a high‑value, efficiency‑focused variant rather than just another price tier.