- Model 3 sedans sold in China now come with a bigger 16-inch infotainment screen.
- It’s the same media display already fitted to Tesla’s Model Y SUV around the world.
- China’s 3 also brings 2.2 kW V2L charging, a feature not offered in US or Europe.
Tesla pioneered the use of the big infotainment screens that now dominate every car’s dashboard, and now the Model 3 is getting an even bigger one. The electric sedan is switching from a 15.4-inch display to a 16-inch unit, but there’s a catch. So far the upgrade, and several others, are restricted to Model 3s sold in China.
The automaker announced the spec enhancement on China’s social media platform Weibo, claiming the new screen offers more than just extra digital real estate. It also promises a higher resolution and improved refresh rate, which could be useful for owners who like to watch movies or play video games. This bigger screen is already fitted to Model Ys in China, the US and Europe.
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We checked Tesla’s European and US sites and in each case the Model 3 is still listed as having a 15.4-inch screen, though it’s very likely China’s display will be rolled out across the globe later this year. Tesla has a habit of treating Chinese customers to the new stuff before giving it to the rest of us. The Model Y “Juniper” facelift and long wheelbase Model Y L both appeared first in Chia.
White Too Bright?
Another Model 3 change is the option of a light gray premium interior as an alternative to the default black. Both choices are paired with a black headliner. We’ve seen that combination before, again on the Model Y, so there’s a clear pattern here of new features appearing on the SUV before trickling down to the more affordable sedan.
Camping, Chinese-Style
One new feature not available until now on the 3 in any Tesla market is V2L vehicle-to-load capability, though the Model Y and Cybertruck do offer it in the US. One of multiple promotional slides on Tesla’s Weibo account confirmed that all Model 3 and Model Y variants are now capable of delivering up to 2.2 kW of AC power.
That output is enough to run a portable rice cooker, a kettle and another cooking device at the same time, Tesla claims, though the small print says you’ll need a special Tesla AC external power adapter for most cars, which is sold separately. The exception is the Model Y L. The three-row SUV is ready to juice up your camping accessories right out of the box, no adapter required.
And if some useful new tech isn’t enough to lure Chinese EV buyers into their local Tesla showroom, some big financial incentives might be. Stick an order in for a Model 3 by the end of October and you get 5000 yuan ($740) from the total bill. Other sweeteners include 5 years of zero percent financing and credits towards paint upgrades and charging costs.
