- Tesla’s new Acceleration Boost reduces 0-100 km/h time for the Model 3 by 0.6 seconds.
- The upgrade makes the Model 3 Long Range feel like a stealthy Performance variant.
- Currently, the option appeared in Australia where it’s priced at AU$3,000 or US$,1900.
Tesla rarely does things quietly, but in a departure from its usual theatrics, the company has subtly reintroduced a feature for its latest compact sedan in select markets. Dubbed the Acceleration Boost, this upgrade for the refreshed 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD promises to make an already quick EV even quicker by unlocking performance that’s already baked in. Predictably, though, this thrill comes at a cost.
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The feature, already familiar to owners of the current Model Y crossover and the pre-facelift Model 3 sedan, has been introduced as an option in Australia for AU$3,000 (around $1,900 at current exchange rates), as well as in China and Taiwan, where it’s priced at 14,100 yuan (~$1,900).
The boost unlocks additional performance from the electric motors, slashing the 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time from 4.4 seconds to 3.8 seconds. However, vehicles must be running the 2024.20 software version or newer to support the upgrade.
A Software Shortcut to Speed
Tesla offered a similar Acceleration Boost for the pre-facelifted Model 3 and Model Y. It proved quite popular as it offered better straight-line performance, bringing the cheaper Long Range AWD models closer to the flagship Performance variants. This didn’t just provide owners with the opportunity to experience bigger straight-line thrills, but also allowed them to retain the softer suspension setup and tires of the mid-range model, compared to the range-topping Performance model.
The thoroughly updated Model 3 Performance can hit 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds or 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds. However, it’s also much pricier. In Australia, the Long Range AWD can be purchased for as little as AU$70,578 (~$46,000), whereas the Model 3 Performance starts at AU$87,250 (~$56,900). Add in the AU$3,000 Acceleration Boost, and you can get a Long Range AWD that only requires an extra 0.7 of a second to reach 100 km/h, all while saving over AU$13,600 (~$8,900).
Admittedly, the Model 3 Performance benefits from a raft of upgrades not found on lower-tier versions, including trick adaptive suspension and forged wheels in a staggered setup—though they’re only available with summer tires. It also boasts a higher top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph), compared to the Long Range AWD’s electronically limited 201 km/h (125 mph).
Where the Long Range AWD really strikes back is range. With a WLTP-claimed 629 km (391 miles) on a single charge, it significantly outpaces the Performance model’s 528 km (328 miles). For most drivers, that extra range is likely to carry more weight than shaving fractions of a second off the 0–100 km/h dash. After all, what good is a rocket ship if it’s constantly tethered to a charging station?
Keep in mind that these driving range figures apply to the Australian market models. In the United States, the updated Model 3 achieves an EPA-claimed range of 363 miles in RWD form, 346 miles for the Long Range AWD, and 303 miles for the Performance variant.
What About the U.S.?
So far, there’s no official word on when the Acceleration Boost will be made available to U.S. customers. But given Tesla’s penchant for rolling out updates globally, it’s safe to assume it’s only a matter of time. For now, international buyers get to enjoy this digital dopamine hit, while the rest of us watch Tesla continue to perfect the art of charging extra to unlock features the car already had all along.
