Model 3 is an impressive electric saloon, including when it comes to performance. But with Model S and Model X leaving the range, this report considered what might follow Tesla’s established Plaid flagship. Model 3 Performance offered the sportiest remaining option discussed in the article, yet it was still some way from the extreme acceleration of Model S Plaid, which could reach 100 km/h in around two seconds under its quoted test conditions.
That prompted Ryan McCaffrey, host of the Ride the Lightning podcast, to ask Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering Lars Moravy a direct question: could there be a future three-motor Model 3 Plaid?
A tri-motor Model 3 Plaid
Rather than dismissing the possibility, Moravy said a three-motor Model 3 was something he often thought about. That was not an official confirmation, but it showed the idea was of interest to a senior engineering executive.
One aspect that appealed to Moravy was the possibility of bringing the carbon-sleeved rotor technology introduced on Model S Plaid to the Model 3 platform. Those motors helped the larger saloon maintain strong acceleration at higher speeds, an important part of its performance character.
Transferring that technology to Model 3 would be both a major performance opportunity and a substantial engineering challenge. Model 3 Performance uses two motors, one at each axle. Adding a third motor at the rear would require significant changes to the existing architecture and careful packaging within the available space.
An appealing idea, but not the immediate priority
Despite Moravy’s interest, the interview did not point to an imminent Model 3 Plaid project. He framed it as a question of “work for reward”: an idea with considerable potential, but also a significant engineering cost. Tesla’s immediate priorities lay elsewhere.
As he explained in the same interview, the performance team was concentrating much of its effort on the new Roadster, intended to showcase Tesla’s highest level of performance and technology.
Could Roadster pave the way?
Moravy said the next Roadster would use Tesla’s best motor technology. Once developed and brought into production, some of those solutions might eventually find their way into other models. That could make a future tri-motor Model 3 more feasible, if Tesla decided to bring the Plaid name to a car with a broader audience.
An interesting thought, rather than a product announcement
At publication, there were no official plans or confirmation of a Model 3 Plaid in development. Still, a senior engineering leader openly considering the idea was enough to interest enthusiasts.
With Model S Plaid leaving the line-up and Roadster still ahead, Tesla might eventually choose to bring extreme Plaid performance to a more radical Model 3. For the time being, it remained a possibility, not an announced vehicle—but one with plenty of appeal for fans.
💶 REFERRAL PROGRAMME 🚘
The referral benefit described at publication
Click the following link to apply the referral and order the car through the normal purchase process (or copy and paste it into Google):
https://www.Teslhub.com/Vantaggio
👏 That’s it!
The referral link is also available in our bio under “Buy a Tesla” and in our website menu under the same heading.
🌐 STAY UP TO DATE 📢
If you do not want to miss any news, these are great places to stay up to date.
Join Teslhub Members: a Telegram community where you can talk, ask questions and share Tesla experiences with us and other members. You can also find us on WhatsApp!
Enjoy reading, and see you in the next article or on any of our social channels.
Until next time!
Giorgio Rebecchi
Editor
Let’s discuss it
Experiences, questions and perspectives from the Teslhub community.
Please keep the discussion respectful. Members’ comments are moderated before publication.
Start the conversation. Leave the first comment.