The lowering of the Tesla Model 3 increases the efficiency of 7%

July 16, 2019 by Kyle Field

Image credit: nextmove

The German Nextmove car rental company conducted a comparative test and confirmed that the reduction of the Tesla Model 3 increased the efficiency of 7% on the road compared to the stock suspension. The team also found that the AWD Tesla, Model 3, consumes 4% more power than an identical propulsion configuration.

To precisely test the differences, nextmove is badociated with suspension specialists from KW Automotive Suspensions GmbH to tailor the ideal coilover kit for the Tesla Model 3. After installing it, it has tested the kit The new coilover kit improves the efficiency of model 3 by 7%. That's a bigger impact than even Tesla's aerodynamic wheel hubcovers, which then had an improved efficiency of 3%.

In real terms, the overlay kit improves the maximum range of the standard Model 3 range (150 km / h), from 320 km (199 miles) to 341 km (212 miles). During the test, the two Standard vehicles used were imported from the United States and equipped with aerodynamic wheel hubcaps.

Image credit: nextmove

The coilover kit was the only difference and lowered the vehicle ride height by 3.5 cm (1.5 in). As could be expected, lowering the vehicle and its center of gravity closer to the tarmac also improves handling.

Several tests have been done to confirm the actual improvements made by the suspension mod. In the first test, two RWD Model 3s were tested in heavy traffic as they looped through the city of Leipzig, Germany. Both cars had the same settings and improved the efficiency of their model 3 reduced by 4.5%.

Image credit: nextmove

In the second test, summer tires were exchanged and a third model 3, a black all-wheel drive, was added to the mix. To further isolate improvements resulting from the suspension, this test was conducted earlier in the day, when traffic was minimal. During the second series of tests, more than 800 km (497 mi) were installed on the test vehicles.

The tests revealed that the standard RWD model 3 consumed 22.5 kWh / 100 km. In contrast, the lowered model 3 consumed only 21.1 kWh / 100 km. In other words, reduce the model 3 improves the efficiency of 7%. The all-wheel drive, on the other hand, consumed 23.3 kWh / 100 km with a fuel efficiency 4% lower than that of its RWD counterpart.

Graphic credit: nextmove

The tests were conducted at 150 km / h, which increases the impact of aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and the benefits of improving vehicle aerodynamics. The higher speed also translates into a lower maximum range and a higher energy consumption per kilometer than testing done at normal highway speeds here in the United States, which oscillate around 150 km / km. h.

For a complete summary of the tests, visit the nextmove blog or watch their video on the tests below (in German with subtitles).

Source: nextmove (in German) via Reddit

Keywords: Coilovers, Germany, Liepzig, nextmove, suspension, Tesla model 3, Tesla aerodynamic wheels model 3, Tesla coil cover kit model 3, Tesla efficiency model 3, Tesla suspension model 3

About the author

Kyle Field I am a technology lover, pbadionate about finding concrete ways to reduce the negative impact of my life on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need it. TSLA investor.