Tesla's vice president of engineering just admitted he thinks about a Plaid Model 3 Performance all the time. That single comment during a recent interview has owners wondering if a Model 3 tri-motor is actually coming.
Franz echoed the same thought, saying the timing feels right now that the Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid are no longer in production. You can read more about what that means here. Without those flagships carrying the Plaid badge, shifting the tri-motor setup into the Model 3 body makes sense on paper.
A Tesla Model 3 Plaid would push Tesla Plaid 0-60 times into new territory. Current Model 3 Performance cars already hit low threes. Adding a third motor could drop that to the mid-twos, maybe even 2.5 seconds if Tesla compromises for daily drivability. The question is whether buyers actually need that extra step beyond what the existing Model 3 Performance update already delivers.
For most owners the current Performance version is already plenty quick. Real-world use rarely demands sub-2.5-second sprints. Still, the idea of a tri-motor Model 3 keeps the performance halo alive and gives Tesla another halo product while the refreshed Model Y Performance update waits in the wings.
If the Plaid Model 3 Performance does arrive, interior upgrades will matter more than ever. Your car ships without the small conveniences that make long drives easier. Jowua Tesla accessories — phone mounts, center consoles, and more fills those gaps with items like the phone mount I use daily on Full Self-Driving.
Bottom line: a Plaid Model 3 Performance would be wild but not strictly necessary. Tesla has shown it can build these cars, so the real decision comes down to demand and whether 3 seconds is already fast enough for most buyers.
