Tesla Model 3 Highland Long Range facelift in Malaysia – 629 km range WLTP, 0-100 4.4s; price from RM218k

The Tesla Model 3 facelift, also dubbed Highland was launched in Malaysia last week, alongside the opening of the first Tesla Experience Centre in Malaysia in Pavilion Damansara Heights.

The Model 3 is offered in Malaysia in two variants, the Standard Range rear-wheel-drive priced from RM189,000, and the Long Range all-wheel-drive priced from RM218,000. It is the latter we have photographed here in this live image gallery.

Here, the Model 3 Long Range AWD gets a dual-motor powertrain as well as a larger capacity battery, enabling a WLTP-rated range of 629 km, compared to the 513 km range (WLTP) for the Standard Range variant. The Long Range AWD can also be recharged at a higher DC rate of up to 250 kW, whereas the Standard Range takes DC charging at up to 170 kW.

Both versions of the facelifted Model 3 reach a top speed of 201 km/h, though it is the Long Range AWD that does the quicker 0-100 km/h sprint at 4.4 seconds; the Standard Range RWD manages the acceleration benchmark in 6.1 seconds.

As shown here, the facelift brings styling changes with slimmer headlamps, more prominent LED DRLs as well as new tail lamps and rear bumper. The Pearl White multi-coat paint finish seen here is a standard offering, though more are available; Solid Black or Deep Blue Metallic are RM5,000 cost options, as are Stealth Grey (RM7,500) and Ultra Red (RM11,000).

This example of the Model 3 facelift is outfitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, shod in tyres measuring 235/40R19. Inside, the Model 3 gets a black interior as standard, though buyers can specify a white interior for RM5,000 more. Seats are ventilated units in this Highland facelift.

A new steering wheel houses the indicator signal controls in place of conventional stalks, while the transmission is now controlled via the touchscreen; a physical set of gear selector buttons on the front of the ceiling serve as backup controls. The main touchscreen itself is now brighter and faster responding, while the rear occupants now get an eight-inch unit in the back of the centre console.

In terms of audio, the Model 3 Long Range AWD gets a 17s-speaker setup with dual amplifiers and dual subwoofers, which is up from the 14-speaker count on the pre-facelift. The facelifted Standard Range RWD gets a nine-speaker, single-amplifier sound system.

For driver aids, all versions of the Model 3 come with Autopilot as standard, though this can be upgraded to Enhanced Autopilot for RM16,000, or the Full Self-Driving set for RM32,000.

Initial deliveries of the Tesla Model 3 Highland facelift are scheduled to commence before the end of the year; check out our live image gallery here to see the EV in greater detail.