Tesla may have quietly planted the seed for its next high-performance vehicle, and it could be something fans have been asking for ever since the original Model 3 Performance launched nearly a decade ago.
During an interview on the Ride the Lightning podcast recorded at the Model S and X Signature Delivery Event, Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy revealed that the idea of a tri-motor Model 3, essentially a “Model 3 Plaid,” is something that regularly crosses his mind.
“I think about it all the time,” Moravy said when asked directly whether Tesla could eventually fit a third motor into the Model 3 platform to have the ‘Plaid’ legacy live on now that it has been discontinued.
While the comment stopped well short of confirming a future production vehicle, it was notable because it confirmed that the company has at least explored the concept internally.
Tesla’s Plaid technology could trickle down
Moravy’s comments became even more interesting when he referenced the same carbon-sleeved motor technology that helped make the Model S Plaid one of the quickest production cars in the world. Those motors allow for significantly higher performance without many of the heat-related limitations found in more traditional electric motor designs.
The current Model 3 Performance already delivers impressive numbers with 510 horsepower, and a 0-60 mph time of around 2.9 seconds. However, that still leaves about a 1-second gap between it and the now-retired Model S Plaid, which could sprint to 60 mph in under two seconds.
However, adapting that Plaid-level technology into the smaller Model 3 platform would present its own set of challenges.
A “work for reward” project
Even though Moravy sounded enthusiastic about the idea, he also made it clear the project is not currently a priority for Tesla.
He described the potential tri-motor Model 3 as more of a “work for reward” situation, suggesting the engineering effort required may not justify the business case right now. Tesla is currently focused on several larger initiatives, including scaling Optimus production, expanding Robotaxi operations, and bringing the next-generation Roadster to market.
That Roadster program appears particularly important to Tesla’s performance engineering team. Moravy explained that the company’s newest and most advanced motor technology is being reserved for the upcoming halo car first.
Still, Tesla has a long history of allowing flagship technology to eventually filter down into their other vehicles.
Could a Model 3 Plaid actually happen?
For now, the idea remains theoretical. Tesla has not announced plans for a tri-motor Model 3, and Moravy’s comments sounded more like an engineer discussing possibilities than teasing an imminent launch.
However, the fact that Tesla’s head of vehicle engineering openly discussed concepts like carbon sleeves and tri-motor packaging is enough to fuel speculation that a future “Model 3 Plaid” could eventually become reality.
Moravy also revealed during the interview that the next-generation Roadster will be built at Giga Texas.
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