Tesla appears to be quietly working on a new variant of its popular compact sedan—the Model 3+, a version promising significantly greater range than current offerings. This new development comes via Chinese government filings, first reported by Car News China, and has since sparked widespread speculation about its potential rollout beyond China.

A New Long-Range Contender

According to documents from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Tesla Model 3+ will be a rear-wheel-drive model powered by a single rear-mounted motor, paired with a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery supplied by LG. This is a notable shift from the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries used in the base Chinese-market Model 3, and could suggest Tesla is aiming for serious improvements in driving range.

Interestingly, the Model 3+ will reportedly use the same electric motor found in the standard Chinese Model 3. This unit delivers 260 horsepower, a modest figure when compared to the 295 hp motor in the U.S. base model. However, while the reduced power output might seem like a drawback, it could play a pivotal role in increasing the vehicle’s efficiency and, by extension, its range.

Battery Mystery: Familiar Capacity or Something New?

Details surrounding the Model 3+’s battery capacity remain unconfirmed. Industry insiders speculate it may borrow the 78.4 kWh pack from the existing Long Range AWD variant, or perhaps even the 79.7 kWh battery used in the U.S. Long Range RWD version.

If paired with the more efficient, lower-output motor, the Model 3+ could potentially set a new benchmark for Tesla’s longest-range electric vehicle. In China, where the optimistic CLTC testing cycle reigns, the current Long Range AWD Model 3 is rated for 753 kilometers. By contrast, the U.S. EPA cycle gives that same model 557 kilometers, albeit with significantly more power.

A Global Opportunity?

While the Model 3+ has so far only been mentioned in the context of the Chinese market, its use of NMC batteries—already present in U.S.-market Teslas—raises an intriguing possibility: Could the Model 3+ make its way west?

Unlike LFP batteries, which have faced tariff barriers and production constraints in the United States, NMC packs are already integrated into Tesla’s U.S. supply chain. This means the main obstacle to a North American release may be the motor, which, as of now, is built in China. Should Tesla choose to manufacture or source this lower-power motor outside China, a U.S. launch would likely face fewer regulatory or logistical hurdles.

But would it make sense? Possibly. According to Car News China, the reduced output motor consumes less energy, meaning the Model 3+ could surpass the range of the current U.S. RWD model, which is rated at 584 kilometers (363 miles). Should the new version exceed the 644-kilometer (400-mile) threshold, it would not only grab headlines—it would likely dominate its segment.

Tesla’s Model 3+ seems poised to push the boundaries of what a long-range EV can offer, especially in the compact sedan category. While official confirmation and full specs are still pending, the leaked documents paint a picture of a car engineered for maximum range with minimal compromise. If Tesla chooses to bring the Model 3+ to global markets, it could shake up the EV landscape—again.

Source: Car News China