Electric Vehicles

Beyond chrome: Refreshed Tesla Model 3 design lands in Australia

Published by

The Driven

As The Driven reported last week, the updated Model 3 has landed on Australian shores. On Friday we were invited to take it for a test drive.

The new Model 3 sees updates mostly around the interior and exterior of the vehicle, but also sees increases in range. The updated Model 3 includes the introduction of the heat pump HVAC system, previously only seen in the Model Y.

Tesla says this combined with the updated tyres and other improvements to powertrain and software, causes Model 3 to beat its own record as the world’s most efficient mass-production car.

On the exterior, you’ll find updated 18/19″ sport wheels and more efficient tires across the Model 3 range. The ‘Performance’ model comes with new 20” Uberturbine wheels .

The trim updates now mean satin black side repeaters, door handles and brightwork, a shift from the chrome trims seen on the previous version.

To read the full version of this story, please go to our EV-focussed sister site, The Driven and click here…

Sam is Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media. Sam has been working with Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid since 2014 and with The Driven since its inception in 2017. Sam is an occasional contributor to both websites with particular interest in electric vehicles and social policy.

Sam Parkinson

Sam is Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media. Sam has been working with Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid since 2014 and with The Driven since its inception in 2017. Sam is an occasional contributor to both websites with particular interest in electric vehicles and social policy.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

China claims title for world’s tallest wind turbine using tower made of concrete and steel

A wind turbine with a record-breaking hub height of more than 200 metres has been…

12 October 2026

“No economic case:” Global experts say nuclear has role in some countries, but makes no sense in Australia

As opposition parties talk nuclear, a new global report from energy experts say it would…

12 October 2026

Australia’s most powerful battery set free of massive “shock absorber” contract after delay to Eraring coal closure

Australia's most powerful battery now free to trade its full capacity on market after its…

10 October 2026

Look, no turbines! Natural landscape returns at site of decommissioned wind farm

The site of one of Australia's very first wind farms now shows little evidence of…

10 October 2026

Australia’s quiet role in the electrification rallying cry for the COP we never got to host

The "35 by 35" electrification goal has an Australian origin that the government seems to…

9 October 2026

The Queensland LNP plan for coal-powered data centres could cost taxpayers $20 billion a pop

If we fail to ensure data centres pay for new renewables and storage to cover…

9 October 2026