Image: Tesla
Tesla on Thursday announced the launch of its most efficient and longest-range Model 3 yet in Australia and New Zealand. The new Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) delivers up to 750 km of WLTP-rated driving range (with 18-inch Photon wheels), making it the longest-range electric vehicle currently available in Australia.
Priced from $61,900 AUD, the Long Range RWD sits between the entry-level Model 3 RWD and the discontinued Long Range AWD. While it comes in $6,000 higher than the base model, it undercuts the old AWD variant by $3,000 while offering significantly more range. With optional 19-inch Nova wheels, range dips slightly to 691 km.
For comparison, the outgoing Long Range AWD was rated at 629 km, while the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor held the previous record at 706 km.
Tesla hasn’t disclosed the exact size of the new battery pack, but the company has confirmed that the flagship Model 3 Performance also receives a bigger pack, now rated at 571 km, up from 528 km. The entry-level Model 3 RWD remains unchanged with 520 km of range.
Image: Tesla
One of the biggest surprises with Thursday’s launch is the return of the indicator stalk. Tesla controversially removed stalks with the 2023 “Highland” refresh, replacing them with steering wheel buttons and a touchscreen swipe for gear selection. The decision was widely criticized, and Tesla has since begun reversing course. Indicator stalks on the Model 3 recently returned in China, where Tesla is even offering retrofits to existing owners. It’s unclear if Australian and New Zealand drivers will get the same retrofit option.
The Model 3 Long Range RWD’s 750 km range puts it just short of the new Model 3+ Tesla launched in China earlier this year, which boasts a CLTC-rated 830 km. Still, this makes the new Model 3 the longest-range EV Tesla has ever brought to Australia and New Zealand.
What do you think of Tesla’s latest Long Range Model 3? Would 750 km be enough to ease range anxiety for you? Let us know in the comments below.
