Sportier interior option coming to Tesla Model 3

Tesla has historically offered only one type of front seat across its top-selling Model 3 electric car range, regardless of the trim level, but this could soon be changing.

Hacker Green, who siphons through code in Tesla’s new software updates, has posted to X (formerly Twitter) a so-called “Sport” version that has a more aggressive seating option.

The front two seats appear to have more pronounced side bolsters and headrests compared to the regular seats.

It’s unclear if this “Sport” version of the Model 3‘s interior will be limited to the yet-to-be revealed high-performance version or versions, or if it will also be available on the more affordable RWD and Long Range.

If the sportier front seats are only for the forthcoming high-performance Model 3, this will mark the first time the interior has been altered for it.

Tesla has previously focused on powertrain, suspension and brake upgrades on the sportiest version of its electric sedan.

The carmaker has only revealed updated versions of the single-motor Model 3 RWD and dual-motor all-wheel drive Long Range to date. They’re both due in Australia between January and March 2024.

An updated version of the Model 3 Performance appears to be in the works, however, as it appeared on an European Type Certificate issued by Dutch vehicle authority “RDW”, as shared by TFF Forum and picked up by Drive Tesla Canada.

That’s not all though as X user The Kilowatts recently revealed the Tesla Parts Catalogue has a Plaid badge for the Model 3 in it, hinting an even faster flagship is coming.

Combined with a new set of wheels in the same catalogue, the badge points to a new flagship for the Model 3 to sit above the Performance.

Prior to the latest facelift, the fastest Model 3 hit 100km/h in 3.3 seconds. Although that’s far from slow, it’s not a patch on the Model S Plaid and its 2.1-second sprint to triple figures.

It’s unclear if Tesla will slot a tri-motor powertrain into the Model 3 Plaid, or whether it will extract more power from the current dual-motor setup.

The Model S Plaid has up to 761kW of power and 1424Nm of torque from its tri-motor setup, and can be optioned with a Track Pack that combines all that power with sticker tyres, larger brakes, and a track-optimised tune for the adaptive air suspension.

Like the broader Model S range, however, the Plaid isn’t available in Australia.

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