Ludicrous? New Tesla Model 3 Performance EV Leaks Reveal Design and Power Details

It's long been understood that we could eventually expect a performance version of the Tesla Model 3 electric sedan following its significant so-called Highland update last year. Now two new videos seem to reveal the new car out filming for cameras, which could indicate it's ready to launch soon. Here's what we can see from the videos, and what we know to expect for the updated Tesla Model 3 Peformance, which some think could be updated to be referred to as the Tesla Model 3 Ludicrous, so far.

The first video posted to the X (formerly Twitter) social media platform (now owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk) by user Desmond Wisley in late February reveals footage captured of a red Tesla Model 3 with apparent performance upgrades to the exterior, as well as Ludicrous badging on the rear trunklid.

The video and post caption describes the new Model 3 being filmed for the automaker by a camera crew and modified camera support vehicle with a filming crane in Valencia, Spain. Another video in the same X thread shows staff directing the user to stop filming with their cell phone.

The red car can be seen with a new contrasting front splitter design, a new aerodynamic wheel design, black trim around the windows and on the door handles, paint-matched mirrors, red brake calipers, a rear spoiler, and what look to be different seats inside. And then there's the badge on the rear end, which emulates previous Tesla Ludicrous design motifs, so this is likely a new Tesla Model 3 Ludicrous trim.

The second video shows a black cover being taken off of a black Tesla Model 3 with similar-looking exterior trim differences, though it's harder to make out what's new on the dark car and because of the shaky video. This is from the same X user and also caught in Valencia, Spain, seemingly for the reveal video or a potential future Tesla marketing program. It's possible the red car in the background of this second video is the same as the new car in the first video, but it's difficult to tell. Images of two black Model 3 cars being cleaned were posted by the same user, but again, it's difficult to make out which trim they might be, or what changes they have, if anything is new.

We can likely expect the performance-tuned Tesla Model 3 Ludicrous to be a moderate update to the previous Tesla Model 3 Performance sedan. That car could get from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat with all-wheel drive, rated for up to 315 miles of range on a full charge, and had a price that bounced around between $54,880 and $64,190. The only upgrade on the new Highland car we can seemingly guarantee is in the branding improvement from "Performance" now to "Ludicrous," if the badging on the spied new cars is anything to go by.

Update, March 7: A new leak from South Korea, via InsideEVs, has revealed some potential performance details of the upcoming Model 3 Ludicrous (or Performance, whichever it is), including an upgraded rear motor unit. The new rear unit is said to be good for 406 hp in Korean documentation, with the front motor carrying over from the previous Performance model with 211 hp. It's unclear what the total power output could be, but it should be right around 600 hp. The vehicle also now should achieve peak power at a higher speed of 68 mph versus the outgoing car's 47 mph, which could make for a better track experience. Weight apparently is unchanged compared to the older Performance trim, staying at 4,089 pounds.

Update, April 8: A reported recent media event hosted by Tesla claims the new Model 3 performance trim will be called the Performance still, not Ludicrous as some believed based on new badging on the rear end of leaked cars, and will boast a new 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.9 seconds, an improvement on paper of 0.2 seconds from the old Model 3 Performance. A new new homologation document in Europe, reported on by AutoEvolution, claims the upcoming Model 3 Performance will stretch to 328 miles on the Euro WLTP range test, with a updated top speed now of 162 mph. AutoEvolution also reports different battery cells for the U.S. model will contribute to an increased weight of 44 pounds compared to the Giga Shanghai produced version, with a diminished EPA range claimed to be around 304 miles in the U.S.

When can we expect to see Tesla officially announce the updated Model 3 Performance? The next company investor call is on April 27th, so it could be then, or at a Tesla event or stream later this summer.

Update, April 18: InsideEVs discovered further Model 3 Performance details in the source code of Tesla's UK website, which suggest power in excess of 500 horsepower.