Tesla is working on a new software update that would enable Model 3 owners to drive at higher speeds for longer periods of time and for Model 3 Performance owners, it will result in a higher top speed.

When the automaker launched the base Model 3 for $35,000 with shorter range and a new interior, it also promised several upgrades to existing Model 3 vehicles through software updates.

The automaker promised an increase in range for all Model 3 vehicles with a Long Range battery pack and rear-wheel-drive motor as well as a peak power increase for all Model 3’s.

Last month, Tesla already started pushing an update to increase the Model 3 range.

A week later, the company starting remotely increasing the power output of Model 3 vehicles through a software update.

Building on that update, we now learn that Tesla is working on a new ‘High Speed Performance’ software update for Model 3.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Tesla is working on a ‘2019.12’ update to be released in the coming weeks that will enable Model 3 vehicles to maintain power at high speeds.

The company wrote in the release notes:

“Your car is now able to maintain torque and power for longer periods of time when driving at high speeds.”

For Model 3 Performance vehicles, it will also include the top speed increase promised when launching the new base Model 3.

They wrote in the release notes:

“The top speed of your car has also been increased to 162 MPH.”

That’s up from the current top speed of 155 MPH.

Tesla vehicles have been criticized before for not being able to maintain high power outputs for long periods of time. It made them not as useful for high speed commuting, like on the German Autobahn, or on the race track.

During a call when announcing the base Model 3, CEO Elon Musk briefly addressed these over-the-air upgrades and said that Tesla now feels comfortable pushing the Model 3’s battery pack and motor to higher levels after gathering data from them being on the road for over a year.

Electrek’s Take

As we previously noted, Tesla’s claim of efficiency gain that only applies to Long Range RWD Model 3 vehicles is suspicious because the company was already able to advertise the vehicles with a higher range, but it previously chose not to for an unclear reason.

The fact that it only applies to RWD Model 3 vehicles and not other Model 3 vehicles with Long Range battery packs is also suspicious.

That said, it’s not controversial for the power increase and now for this upcoming new high speed performance update.

It actually shows some impressive work from Tesla.

The fact that Tesla is actually releasing this capacity across all Model 3 vehicles clearly shows that they now feel more comfortable drawing more power from the Model 3 powertrain after gathering more real-world data.

Everyone’s Model 3 is getting a little better in the process and I doubt we will hear anyone complain about that.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.