The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Is Now Available in the U.S. With 325 Miles of Range

Tesla's Model 3 Long Range model is once again available in the U.S.

Tesla

Tesla has reopened orders for the highly sought-after Model 3 Long Range in the U.S. after the configuration had been unavailable for months. The popular electric vehicle was removed from Tesla's lineup last year, citing an excessively long waitlist for production. Now, eager customers can finally place their orders for the car, with deliveries expected to begin next month.

The Model 3 Long Range AWD is now available for purchase at a price of $47,240. It qualifies for a federal tax incentive of $3,750, bringing the final price down to $43,490. The vehicle boasts an impressive estimated range of 325+ miles and a top speed of 145 mph, along with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.2 seconds.

New Model 3 Configuration Sparks Speculation About Battery Chemistry

The return of the Model 3 Long Range AWD has generated speculation about potential changes in the vehicle's battery chemistry. Some believe that the car may now be equipped with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries produced in China. This theory is supported by the fact that the vehicle qualifies for only half of the $7,500 federal tax credit available for electric cars. LFP batteries are known to be more cost-effective but can result in slightly reduced range and performance.

However, interestingly, the vehicle's weight remains primarily unchanged at 4,034 lbs. We would have expected a weight increase due to the heavier LFP cells, so the battery chemistry in this vehicle is still unconfirmed. The Model 3 Long Range AWD supports Supercharging at up to 250 kW Max, while the Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 is limited to 170 kW Max.

Customers Can Expect Deliveries in June 2023

With the Model 3 Long Range AWD now available for order, customers can expect their vehicles to be delivered in June 2023. However, it is worth noting that the car's design appears to remain consistent with the previous version, with no significant exterior changes. As such, those hoping for the rumored Model 3 "Highland" refresh will need to wait a little longer.

The reopening of orders for the Model 3 Long Range AWD highlights Tesla's commitment to meeting the high demand for its electric vehicles. The car's impressive range and performance, combined with the more affordable pricing possibly due to cheaper LFP batteries, make it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers looking for a reliable and stylish electric vehicle.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Tesla's Android App Lags Behind Apple's: The Missing Features

Maxim

Tesla has confirmed that they submit app updates for Android and iOS apps at the same time, but we often see the iOS app updates released first possibly due to a quicker app review process at Apple.

However, we often see features implemented on the Apple version weeks or months before they’re implemented on Android. Today, the Android app is missing several key features, and the gap is starting to become a bit glaring.

Delayed App Updates

The Android app just received update 4.36.6 last night, while the Apple update was available as of September 1st.

That might not seem like a big deal, but in order to use the updated Actually Smart Summon, you’ll need app version 4.36.6, so any Andriod users that received update 2024.27.20 with the new Summon, couldn’t use it until yesterday.

We’re sure Tesla is on it, but it’s disappointing to see that key feature updates take days or a week longer to receive on Android. Apple and Google both offer the ability to set a release date for an app update, so Tesla could coordinate releasing the apps at the same time.

Ultra Wideband Support

Unfortunately, there’s no Ultra Wide Band (UWB) support on Android yet, which is an interesting omission since it’s such a great feature. Most Android phones, flagships, and cheaper phones alike, all support UWB.

Without UWB support Android phones can’t use Tesla’s newest phone key, which is only available for devices that support UWB. The new phone key improves reliability for unlocking the vehicle and setting the correct Tesla driver profile. To support the new phone key, you need a compatible phone (iPhone 11 or newer) and a newer vehicle that supports ultra wideband.

Hands-Free Trunk

Tesla’s new hands-free trunk feature, which allows you to automatically open your trunk by simply standing behind it for a couple of seconds, also isn’t available on Android devices. Tesla’s Hands-Free Trunk requires UWB support too, and Tesla originally mentioned it was coming to Android in May 2024.

For now, those are the features we know of that don’t work on Android today, and we’re hoping that Tesla brings both UWB support, as well as simultaneous app updates to the Google Play and Apple App Store by leveraging each store’s publish date feature.

Follow

Follow

Follow

Musk Says Tesla 'Actually Smart Summon' Goes Wide Next Week: What to Expect

Not a Tesla App

Elon Musk has confirmed on X that Actually Smart Summon, will be going to wide release next week. Let’s take a look at what that means in the context of Tesla updates – because we know for sure it won’t be on every single vehicle next week.

Actually Smart Summon

The new feature set of Actually Smart Summon is fairly broad, and it's a feature that many have been waiting a long time for. So far, it's been completely unavailable on vehicles without ultrasonic sensors (USS) and has been more of a party trick on older vehicles that did have the sensors. It was pretty much only safely usable in straight lines and with direct supervision.

This updated version of Smart Summon uses Tesla Vision – just like AutoPark, to accomplish the task in a faster and safer manner. You’ll be able to summon your vehicle from its parking spot to another location or have it come directly to you.

Wide Release

Wide release will include hardware 3 and AI4 vehicles alike – as some early access HW3 testers have already received update 2024.27.20 with FSD 12.5.3 and Actually Smart Summon. As a reminder, in order to be able to use Actually Smart Summon, you’ll need to be subscribed to or own FSD and be in North America at this time. It’ll eventually be available to users with Enhanced Autopilot, when FSD 12.5 and Actually Smart Summon become part of the regular feature releases.

This wide release will come in gradual, small waves at first. These small waves serve as a test pool for Tesla to ensure that the update is safe to install on a wider pool of vehicles. After that, it’ll go out in larger waves. Once large waves start getting pushed out, it takes approximately a week for most users to receive the update.

Expect Tesla to start rolling out update 2024.27.20 with Actually Smart Summon next week, and if everything goes well, waves will continuously get larger and most users will have it about a week later. Unfortunately, if there are issues found with Summon or FSD 12.5.3, there will be a delay while Tesla issues a patch.

Other Regions

This release is only going out to North America for the time being – as it is only available on the primary FSD release branch. Eventually, it will be released to users with EAP in North America, as well as other regions.

This will happen when Tesla bundles FSD V12.5 with its feature updates, which will likely happen later this year. At the moment, Tesla is still bundling FSD V12.3.6 with its newest feature release update, 2024.32. So for those waiting for vision-based Actually Smart Summon in other regions, you’ll likely be waiting at least a month before it hits the regular feature branch.

We’re still waiting for Park Seek and Banish Autopark, but seeing Actually Smart Summon finally show up, including for hardware 3 vehicles is exciting. September is going to be a month filled with good Tesla news, including the Cybertruck getting FSD and all the other news that Tesla announced for September.

Follow

Follow

Follow