New Tesla Model 3’s exact UK arrival date confirmed

Tesla’s new extensively updated Model 3 saloon has a confirmed arrival date for UK roads – and it will be here within days.

The new Model 3 is highly anticipated, given it is a thorough refresh of one of the world’s best-selling electric cars that is one of the pillars of Tesla’s recent success.

It boasts a longer range in excess of 400 miles on a single battery charge, which will make it one of the longest-range electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Britain.

The US company has confirmed that first deliveries for customers will land on 27 January.

Here’s everything you need to know about the facelifted saloon…

This is the facelifted version of Tesla’s Model 3, which is being delivered to the first UK customers from 27 January

Fresh styling tweaks have improved aerodynamics and therefore increased battery range. Find out just how far the refreshed Model 3 can go on a full charge

Customers who pre-ordered their Model 3s earliest will be invited to collect them from their nearest assigned Tesla Centre at delivery events hosted across the UK and Ireland at the end of the month. 

Stores will also host a range of activities and test drives will be available for the first time in the UK. 

It is the first time the Model 3 has received a thorough update since it arrived on British soil six years ago.

Tesla has sold more than two million units worldwide since, making it the most successful Tesla to date. 

‘This update brings more refinement and comfort – inside and out – while staying true to its sleek, uncluttered design aesthetic,’ the UK arm of the US EV giant said.

‘We have not departed from what made Model 3 a global best-seller: delivering great range and efficiency with sports-car performance and handling at an approachable price point.

‘The upgraded Model 3 is instantly recognisable as a Model 3 with a refined body and presence, better aero, new lighting, and a brand new interior that elevates what customers love about Model 3.’

One of the big talking points about the compact EV saloon is its price, which has been slashed by £3,000. The upgraded Model 3 will start from £39,990 for the standard Rear Wheel Drive variant, while the Long Range will ring in from £49,990

How new is the facelifted Model 3? According to Tesla, more than half of its components from before have been changed 

2024 Tesla Model 3 facelift: What’s new?

How new is the facelifted Model 3? According to Tesla, more than half of its components from before have been changed – and many of are the result of customer feedback from the million who already have the smallest and least expensive car in the US brand’s line-up.

And more good news is that – despite the raft of upgrades – prices have been slashed.

The entry Model 3 rear wheel drive now starts from £39,990 and the Model 3 long range variant will ring in from £49,990. 

In terms of styling, the biggest difference to the Model 3 we know today is the reshaped front end.

Tesla Model 3 facelift: Will it fit in my garage?

On sale: Now

First deliveries: from 27 January 2024

Price: from £39,900 for Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive; from £49,990 for Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Length: 4,720mm

Width (including mirrors): 2,089mm

Height: 1,441mm

Wheelbase: 2,875mm

Ground clearance: 138mm

Weight: 1,765kg (Model 3 RWD); 1,828kg (Model 3 Long Range)

Power: up to 351bhp

Acceleration (0-62mph): 4.2 secs (Model 3 Long Range) 

Top speed: 125mph

Range: up to 421 miles (Model 3 Long Range)

Front trunk space: 88 litres

Rear boot space: 594 litres

Towing capacity: 1,000kg

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Tesla emphasises it ‘stays true to the sleek, uncluttered design aesthetic’ of the original, though with a pair of narrower headlight clusters.

The LED lights are said to be stronger, meaning there is no longer a need for separate fog lights lower in the bumper.

The more chiseled ‘face’ of the Model 3 also helps to reduce drag – and therefore increase range (read more about this further down) – and wind noise at a cruising speeds to improve refinement, the company claims. There’s also a new air curtain in the reshaped bonnet.

All of this helps to reduce wind noise, which is one reason why Tesla is claiming the facelifted Model 3 is quieter to ride in than before.

Road rumble has also been hushed by new tyres with redesigned sidewalls and double-glazed windows all around. Even the suspension seal rubbers have been changed to remove any squeaks and bumps.

As well as being quieter, interior comfort levels are boosted with seat ventilation to blow cool air into the back and bottom of the driver and passenger. And every seat in the vehicle now has heating for the winter months.

As for the the rest of the Model 3’s bodywork, it is is largely unchanged, though the rear lights are now in a ‘C’ shape. 

The facelift also sees the introduction of two new colour choices – ultra red and stealth grey. 

‘Ultra red is a high-chroma colour with dynamic depth created from a multi-coat paint. Stealth grey is a rich and dynamic dark grey metallic colour that accentuates the shape of Model 3,’ Tesla says.

Pearl white, solid black and deep blue metallic paints have been carried over, though with just five colours available, there’s still a limited range of choices when compared to rivals. 

It should be noted that Tesla highlights it has upgraded the Model 3’s doors with improved structural reinforcement to withstand heavier impact.

This also means they have a more premium-sounding ‘clunk’ when closing, giving the impression of a boost in quality. 

Charging speeds remain unchanged from behind but upgrades to the Model 3 mean all variants now travel further on a full charge

Redesigned wheels – which Tesla claims are 5 per cent more aerodynamic – and new tyres with less rolling resistance also help to boost range by between 5 per cent and 8 per cent, depending on specification, Tesla tells us

The entry Model 3 rear wheel drive now has an official range of up to 344 miles, which is a 39 miles on the 305 previously offered. The more expensive long range version gets an extra 27 miles, up to 421 miles from 394 previously

Improved range means it is the third longest-travelling EV on sale in Britain now 

The major upgrade news is that Model 3’s range has been increased – and quite significantly so that the most expensive variant can now keep going for over 400 miles (according to official tests and not real-world driving).

This is the result of improved aerodynamic rather than a change to the battery packs and electric motors, Tesla says.

The styling upgrades means a lower drag coefficient rating of 0.219 – down from what was already a slippery 0.23 drag coefficient measurement for the pre-facelift car. 

Redesigned wheels – which Tesla claims are 5 per cent more aerodynamic – and new tyres with less rolling resistance also help to boost range by between 5 per cent and 8 per cent, depending on specification, the company says.

The entry Model 3 rear wheel drive now has an official range of up to 344 miles, which is a 39 miles on the 305 previously offered. 

The more expensive long range version gets an extra 27 miles, up to 421 miles from 394 previously.

Only the £100,000-plus Mercedes EQS and Fisker’s just-available £60,000 Ocean SUV can go further on a full charge (at the time of publishing). 

The standard Model 3 with 245bhp is quoted to hit 62mph from a standstill in 5.8 seconds, while the 351bhp long range variant can achieve that speed in 4.2 seconds. 

Top speed for both remains electronically limited to 125mph. 

Charging speeds are also unchanged. 

A range-topping Model 3 performance has not been announced just yet. However, we would expect the 456bhp four-wheel-drive version to be capable of going for around 360 miles between charges. 

The new, sleeker, headlight clusters have more powerful LED lights, meaning there is no longer a need for fog lamps lower in the front bumper 

Tesla says the combination of double-glazed glass, new tyres, suspension upgrades and more aerodynamic bodywork combine to make the Model 3 much quieter than the pre-facelift version

The rear lights of the facelifted Tesla Model 3 are incorporated into the boot lid and are now in a boomerang-like C shape

Every glass panel in the new Model 3 is soundproof double-glazed. There’s also less road rumble thanks to new tyres with redesigned sidewalls for better cushioning

The front seats of the facelifted Tesla Model 3 are vented, meaning the driver and front passenger should stay cooler in summer conditions

Tesla has done away with stalks behind the wheel for driver controls. Instead, the indicator switches are on the steering wheel

New driving controls and an uprated sound system

Existing Tesla owners will quickly notice the Model 3 has no stalks branching from steering wheel columns.

That’s because all the controls previously operated by these have been shifted elsewhere with haptic switches and physical buttons.

For instance, indicators are now activated via controls on the touchscreen and the drive selector is now part of the touchscreen operation.

‘Once you’re seated and belted, simply press the brake pedal and swipe up or down on the left-side of the screen to engage Drive or Reverse. The gear-shifter automatically appears when you press the brake or at low speeds, for quick changes,’ Tesla says.

‘And when Autoshift Out Of Park (Beta) is enabled, simply buckle your seat belt, close the door and press the brake – the car will automatically select Drive or Reverse according to your surroundings. Just like the latest Model S and Model X.’

As for the dashboard touchscreen itself, this is a 15.4-inch device with a slimmer bezel and brighter display with a more responsive and customisable user interface. It’s also said to get ‘better over time with OTA [over the air] updates’.

Passengers in the back get their own 8-inch screen, which controls the climate and ventilation settings as well as the entertainment functions

Tesla’s interior design team has doubled the number of wireless phone chargers and there are also improvements in charging facilities and connectivity

Tesla has promised that occupants throughout the facelifted Model 3 will benefit from its new premium sound system. Occupants in the back also now get heated seats 

The company also claims 50 per cent improved cellular, double the Wi-F range and dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities of both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. 

Passengers in the back get their own screen, too.

That’s because the facelifted Model 3 has an all-new 8-inch rear display with integrated climate control, ventilation, and entertainment functions.

Tesla interior designers have also added a second wireless phone chargers and there are now three USB-C charging ports, meaning you can keep the batteries of all your gadgets topped up on the move. 

Model 3 occupants – no matter which seat they’re sitting – will also benefit from a new premium audio system.

It features 17 speakers, dual subwoofers and dual amplifiers for long range vehicles and 9 speakers, a single subwoofer and amplifier for rear-wheel drive vehicles.