2024-04-07 16:24:48
Tesla ‘Model 3 Highland’ narrative test drive
(1) New Model 3 vs. venerable Model YRun 250 km from Gangnam to Jayu-ro to Paju in two days.
Sleek exterior, rear seat screen installed on ventilated seats
Significantly improved ride comfort and soundproofing, improved overall marketability
Good taste of running, recommended for 2~3 people and long distance commuter carPrice 51.99 million won, subsidy applied, around 40 million won
Only 2 million won difference from Model Y… It’s a shame it’s a family car
Tesla Model 3 RWD (rear-wheel drive) parked in front of the Yulgok Ii historical site in Paju, Gyeonggi-do. It was officially launched in Korea on the 4th. / Photo = Reporter Baek Soo-jeon “Her wife told me to get her a new car because she had a hard time working for the past 10 years. A budget of 50 million won was approved. Tesla has caught my eye, but I’m having a hard time deciding whether to buy the new Model 3 or the SUV Model Y. I have a four-year-old daughter. “Please give me some advice.”
This is the story of Mr. A, an office worker in his 30s living in Dongtan, Gyeonggi Province, who faces the biggest worry in his life. Recently, similar posts are frequently posted in the Tesla car owner community. This is because of the new Model 3, which was released in Korea on the 4th. The compact sedan Model 3 began selling in the Chinese and global markets in the fall of last year, with its appearance and performance improved to that of a new car under the name of Project ‘Highland’. It arrived in the Korean market somewhat late. The launch price that attracted attention was △51.99 million won for the rear-wheel drive (RWD) trim and △59.99 million won for the four-wheel drive long range trim. Although government subsidies have not yet been confirmed, if local government subsidies are combined, the actual purchase price of Model 3 RWD is expected to drop to the late 40 million won range.
Korean economy this week <테슬람이 간다>is the first domestic media outlet to report a test drive of the Model 3 Highland. I ran a total of 250km from Yeoksam, Seoul to KINTEX, Ilsan to Paju over two days on the 25th and 26th of last month. For reference, the reporter has driven most Tesla models released in Korea over the past few years. (Refer to test drives dated July 29, August 5, 2023, April 29, May 6, 2023, and July 9, 16, 2022) While driving the new Model 3, an SUV (sports utility vehicle) We compared the pros and cons with Model Y. The new Model 3 Long Range Trim, which was released in Korea on the 4th. This is Tesla’s new ‘Ultra Red’ color. /Reporter Baek Soo-jeon
First impressions of Model 3 Highland
Tesla Korea headquarters in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The new red, blue, and white Model 3 test cars were prepared in the underground parking lot. The vehicle assigned to the reporter is a blue Model 3 rear-wheel drive (RWD), which is the basic trim. If possible, would it be a red skirt? The red Long Range trim vehicle catches the eye. This is the ‘Ultra Red’ color newly added to Model 3. I sadly looked away when I heard that it had already been assigned to another reviewer.
A closer look at Highland’s exterior. It is different from the design code of the existing Model S·X·3·Y lines that Tesla has maintained for the past 10 years. The most obvious change is the headlights. The previously chubby and round face became slimmer as if she had lost weight. The fog lights under the front bumper have been removed. Did I remove too much? The front part feels a bit flat. This is especially true when you think regarding the gorgeous front end of other recently completed vehicles. On the other hand, the rear part is much more refined. It is noticeable that the tail lamp is integrated with the trunk door. Interior view of the new Tesla Model 3. The gear and blinker levers on the left and right sides of the existing model’s steering wheel have disappeared. /Baek Soo-jeon Opens the door of the reporter’s car and sits inside. There have been significant changes to the interior as well. First of all, ambient lighting was applied for the first time in Tesla. It can be changed to a variety of colors to suit the driver’s taste. Ventilated seats were finally applied to the front seats. Even though it is a basic vehicle, the back seat is equipped with an 8-inch display like the Model S. You can enjoy YouTube, Netflix, and even simple games. Air conditioning and temperature control are also available. This is a welcome change for fathers with children. The backseat is neither spacious nor narrow, like a mid-size sedan. The low ceiling may be burdensome for adult males taller than 180cm. However, if you are carrying children under elementary school age, there is no problem as a family car. If you fold the rear seats, you can lie down and stretch out in the trunk space. It seems like two people can stay in the car, but I wonder, ‘Why in this car?’ If you fold the back seat, you can lie down with your feet stretched out in the trunk space. It is a rather narrow space for two adult men. /Reporter Baek Soo-jeon
6.1 seconds from zero to hundred, the ‘taste of running’ is alive.
Now it’s time to go. Tesla vehicles do not have a start button. All you have to do is put the gear into ‘D’ and step on the accelerator. The improved Model 3 does not have levers on both sides of the steering wheel to control gears and left and right blinkers like the Model S. When you apply the brake while parked, forward and reverse indicators appear on the left side of the display and change as if you are sliding the phone screen. It wasn’t as embarrassing as when I test drove the Model S, but it still felt awkward. However, the left and right blinker buttons on the steering wheel are more convenient than you might think. Model 3 appeared in the middle of Gangnam road. The rear and left and right camera screens appear simultaneously on the 15.4-inch display in the center of the driver’s seat. According to Tesla Korea, the new Model 3 is equipped with autonomous driving chip hardware 4.0 (HW4.0). The camera quality is better than that of the old Model 3, but there doesn’t seem to be much difference from the Model Y RWD. The screen showed 100% battery. When I touch it, the driving range of 463km appears. Model 3 RWD has been certified in Korea with a range of 382 km on a single charge. It can go regarding 10% further than Model Y’s 350 km. The Model 3 Long Range trim has a range of 488 km. Tesla vehicles are equipped with cameras on the fenders. The new Model 3 has a red camera lens symbolizing autonomous driving chip hardware 4.0 (HW 4.0). /Reporter Baek Soo-jeon When you take your foot off the accelerator, you can feel the regenerative braking (braking when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal) that is unique to electric vehicles. Has the reporter become familiar with Tesla? Slowing down has become quite natural. Existing Tesla vehicles were able to adjust the regenerative braking stage, but that function has been missing from the 2023 Model Y. Once you get used to regenerative braking, you can significantly reduce the number of times you apply the brakes. Of course, driving fatigue is reduced.
Before you know it, Highland crosses Banpo Bridge and reaches Gangbyeonbuk-ro. As I passed Mapo in the direction of Ilsan, the traffic flow became more comfortable. I press the accelerator pedal deeply. The Model S and Model 3 Long Range that I had test driven in the past ran at a scary pace. The Model 3 RWD was also fast, but not enough to overwhelm an internal combustion engine vehicle. Zero to 100 km/h (time from standstill to 100 km/h) 6.1 seconds. It is similar to Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class (of course, the price difference is 17 million won).
This is the limitation of a single motor. However, the only vehicle that achieves this speed at a price in the 50 million won range is Hyundai Motor Company’s Ioniq. However, it feels better on the road than the IONIQ 5. Compared to the Model Y RWD, it is much lighter, making it more enjoyable to drive. The curb weight of Model 3 RWD is 1760 kg, and Model Y RWD is 1910 kg. Of course, to truly feel the ‘running electric car’ Tesla, you have to go for the dual motor long range (zero 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds) trim. The new Model 3 is the first Tesla vehicle to be equipped with ambient lighting. A variety of colors can be selected to suit the driver’s taste. /Reporter Baek Soo-jeon
Significantly improved ride quality
I stopped by Ilsan and put the kids in the back seat. This is because I want to check the ride quality. Tesla vehicles have long had poor reviews regarding ride comfort. In particular, the old American Model Y was notorious among car owners for its hard ride, which felt like riding on rocks. The Model Y RWD, which was released last year following the 2023 model year, has been improved to be much more comfortable, but the rear seats still bounce quite a bit on the road.
Tesla Korea officials cited improved ride comfort as the biggest feature of the new Model 3. The driver’s seat has clearly been upgraded, even as experienced by the reporter. Driving a car with poor ride comfort for more than an hour puts a strain on your back and pelvis, but the Highland didn’t cause much fatigue. It filters out a lot of the minor vibrations from the road surface, and even when going over road bumps, it goes over well without shaking like before. I think we’ve found a good compromise between a firm yet soft ride to suit the public’s tastes. However, Tesla’s ‘sports sensibility’ feels somewhat diluted. The back seat of the new Model 3 is equipped with an 8-inch display like the Model S. You can enjoy YouTube, Netflix, and simple games. This is the best feature for children. /Reporter Baek Soo-jeon Then, what regarding the back seat? Children who were always with the reporter while test driving Tesla vehicles commented that the ride comfort of the new Model 3 was much better than that of the Model Y RWD. In fact, sedans are bound to have an advantage over SUVs in this area. The children said that last year’s Model
Regarding Tesla’s ride comfort, there is an anecdote related to CEO Elon Musk in the past. During the development of the Model S in 2009, an engineer asked Musk for his opinion on the car’s suspension. “Should we emphasize sleekness like a BMW or a soft feel like a Lexus?” Musk responded as follows: “I’m going to sell a ton of cars. So, do you understand that you should use an appropriate suspension for a car that will sell a lot?” (Tim Higgins, “Architect of Tesla’s Electric Car War”) This might be said to be the reason why Tesla’s ride quality has steadily improved. The company expects to sell 2 million units worldwide this year. The new Model 3 (left) and Model Y are on display together. The headlight design clearly distinguishes between the new model and the old model. /Tesla Japan
Model 3 or Model Y?
It’s a time of choice. Model Y is the best-selling car that ranked first in global vehicle sales last year, becoming the first electric vehicle to do so. This means that it has been verified. Recently, the global automobile market has been particularly focused on SUVs. With ample interior space and improved ride comfort, sedans are becoming less and less popular.
The problem is that the current Model Y is an old version. A new upgraded vehicle is expected to be released next year under the code name ‘Juniper’. If you buy a Model Y now, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes outdated. However, if we wait for Juniper, there is a possibility that its domestic launch will be delayed like Highland. As a consumer, your eyes will inevitably be drawn to the new Model 3, which has improved marketability. The price is also 2 million won cheaper.
Mr. A’s concern earlier was basically the question of whether to buy an SUV or a sedan. If you want to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in a family car, Model Y is a highly space-efficient model. If you are using the car alone or as your dad’s commuter car with your family on the weekend, the cost-effective Model 3 may be a good choice. Spring is in full swing. If you want a car to drive home from work while the cherry blossoms are flying, I recommend the latter.
→Continued in Part 2, ‘Intensive Experience with the Controversial Autopilot’ ▶ ‘Teslam is Going’
We unravel the story behind Tesla, leading the ‘mobility revolution’ in the 2020s. Elon Musk, who is considered the best ‘visionary CEO’, is also a subject of great exploration. We introduce news and issues from domestic and foreign Tesla YouTubers and X users. Subscribe to the reporter page below to receive articles every week.
Reporter Baek Soo-jeon [email protected]
1712507798
#Model #Model #Concerns #Dongtan #man #received #payment #million #won
