Skip to main content

Tesla Model 3 tuned in Germany is an electric car you’ll either love or hate

As Tesla sales grow, and the number of Model 3s registered in the United States and abroad increases, the firm’s long-awaited entry-level model risks becoming a mundane, ordinary sight. German tuner Novitec wants to prevent the Model 3 from drifting into the realm of banality by making parts that add a touch of character without ruining the sedan’s looks.

Novitec fired up its wind tunnel to make the Model 3 more aerodynamic while giving it a sportier, more purposeful stance. Balancing form and function is easier said than done, but we think the tuner has pulled it off. Its Tesla Model 3 receives a long list of add-ons including bumper extensions on both ends, a trunk-mounted spoiler, and side skirts. These parts are made with carbon fiber to keep weight in check. They can be left bare, or they can be painted in the same color as the body.

21-inch alloy wheels wrapped by fat tires add a finishing touch to the look, but the changes don’t end there. Novitec designed custom suspension components that lower the Model 3’s ride height while allowing it to deliver a firmer, more dynamic ride.

The custom bits available for the Model 3’s interior are limited to new upholstery made with leather, Alcantara, a blend of both, or something else. Customers can work directly with Novitec to specify the exact material they wish to sit on. If you dream of a 3 with pink shag carpet, there is a way to make your vision come true.

The electric powertrain remains fully stock. Novitec doesn’t touch the Model 3’s motors, its battery pack, or its software that acts as the brain behind it all. The body kit might have a small effect on range, though. It might help the Model 3 drive further on a charge by reducing its drag coefficient, or it might make motorists stop for electricity more often by adding weight. We’ll know more when the tuner releases more precise specifications. Either way, the changes will be minor at best.

Novitec is no stranger to Tesla’s unique breed of electric cars. It has already worked on the Model S, and on the Model X. And, while aftermarket tuners are a dime a dozen, it’s one of the better-established brands that regularly works on exotic cars made by Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce. Its parts normally don’t come cheap, though pricing information for Tesla’s smallest car hasn’t been released yet, but at least they’re tasteful and built to last.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Tesla Model 3 vs. Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y rear

Tesla's smallest and newest vehicles are also its most popular cars. Called Model 3 and Model Y, they're brimming with tech features, and they're a lot alike under the surface -- they share about 75% of their parts. Although the Model 3 still outsells the Model Y, we expect the tables will turn in the coming months.

Here's how these two compact electric cars stack up against each other on paper.
Design

Read more
Tesla gives the Model S over 1,000 hp and a spaceship-like steering wheel
2021 Tesla Model S

Released in 2012, the Model S is the oldest member of the Tesla range. It's about to look a lot newer than its age suggests thanks to a much-needed update that brings a fully redesigned interior and a lot more power.

Not much has changed on the outside, and the sedan remains recognizable as a Model S. Look closely and you might notice stylists gave it a nip-and-tuck that brings a redesigned front bumper, small aerodynamic tweaks out back, and new wheels. Visually, it takes a well-trained eye to tell the latest evolution of the S apart from its predecessor.

Read more
The best Tesla Model 3 alternatives
2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Going electric doesn’t require a vehicle from Tesla. While the folks at Tesla offer an impressive set of features in the Model 3, including a range of up to 353 miles, the near $38,000 starting price can be quite intimidating. Beyond the sticker price itself, some consumers may be concerned about repeated Tesla quality control concerns or are simply not fans of the company’s more minimalist interior and exterior design. We’ve compiled a list of alternative vehicles that you can check out when you're ready to hit the road in a new electric vehicle but don’t want Elon Musk as your copilot.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric 2020

Beyond Tesla, manufacturers of electric vehicles seem to have little interest in producing sedan offerings. However, if you’re dead-set on selecting a vehicle that looks somewhat like a sedan, even though it’s technically a hatchback, take a look at the Ioniq Electric from Hyundai. Starting at around $33,000, the Ioniq Electric has a range of up to 170-miles. The higher-end Limited trim offers a healthy selection of technology-focused features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch LCD gauge cluster, and Highway Drive Assist. While the Hyundai doesn’t get quite the mileage that the Tesla Model 3 can achieve, the Ioniq Electric still offers enough range for short and medium-range trips -- long-range adventures will need some extra charging stops.
Chevy Bolt EV 2020

Read more