Tesla’s “true” powers: Model S, X, 3, and Y have just been leaked thanks to the French administration’s homologation data. With some bad surprises in the program.
Those familiar with the Tesla configurator may have noticed that it is almost impossible to know the performance of the cars sold there. I say “almost” because there are versions where power is the main argument; which is the Plaid. The Model S and Model X, currently the only versions, sport a large sedan and his 1020-horsepower California (now Texan) company’s impressive SUV. Among her incredible features, it’s written in black and white on the website.
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The official figures of the administration.
On the other hand, when selecting the most popular Model 3 and Model Y, it is impossible to know the real power of the different versions. So why is there so much secrecy about what is often an important argument in purchasing a car? And how can we find out what the real power of the cars currently in the configurator is? To find out, the serious media Automobile Propre could access the documents of the French administration, more precisely the homologation sheets, in which we find the values as announced by the manufacturer.
Since the Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid proudly advertise 1020 horsepower on the Palo Alto firm’s website, let’s start there. And there, according to the figures revealed by our colleagues, the Model S would be well and truly faithful to the announced figures. On the other hand, as far as the Model X is concerned, the more than 1,000 horsepower would be a lie. Indeed, the power would be only 938 horsepower or 690 kW, 82 horsepower of differences from the commercial plate.
As for the Model S and Model X “short,” or Dual Motor versions, which will be available again in 2023 according to the online configurator, the 670 horsepower announced are indeed in line with the data of the administration: the sedan is retained for 671 horsepower, the SUV for 669 horses.
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For model 3 and model Y.
Let’s come to the power figures of the best-selling Tesla in France and the world: the Model 3. According to our colleagues from Automobile Propre and the homologation figures obtained, the sedan has power ratings of between 269 and 436 horsepower. Three versions are available: Rear-wheel drive, Long Range, and Performance.
For the Model Y, offered only in the Long Range and Performance versions, the power ratings are 395 and 436 horsepower, slightly lower than those of the Model 3 sedan.
Tesla increases the range of the Model 3
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Values That can change overnight
Note that these horsepower values are for 2022 models, but may not be exactly the same as previous year versions. Indeed, different production locations can affect the power supply, as different technologies, especially motors and batteries, have changed at different times. This may result in different numbers on previous versions.
Consider the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (SR+), now Propulsion, which started with 50 kWh NCA batteries, only to swap them for heavier 55 kWh LFP batteries in 2021. But despite the extra weight, the car had the same 0 to 100 km/h speed.
We can therefore imagine that the power between these two versions was different as announced by some sites (286 hp against 325 hp). And not to simplify anything, the new Model 3 Propulsion and its 60 kWh LFP battery incorporates a less powerful engine of 269 hp, which explains the 0 to 100 km/h slower (6.1 seconds against 5.6 seconds for the previous models).
Also, it looks like Teslas have a higher power rating than certification. So the “real” powers will be even higher than what is indicated in the table. In any case, they are more than enough for everyday use.
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Tesla Energy Rating:
| Models | Power in hp | Power in kW |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Propulsion system | 269 | 198 |
| Tesla Model 3 Large Autonomy | 398 | 293 |
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | 436 | 321 |
| Tesla Model Y Large Autonomy | 395 | 291 |
| Tesla Model Y Performance | 424 | 312 |
| Tesla Model S Large Autonomy | 671 | 494 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 1020 | 750 |
| Tesla Model X Large Autonomy | 669 | 492 |
| Tesla Model X Performance | 938 | 690 |