I really don’t understand how so many people don’t see right through this. It’s 100% obvious that it’s a ludicrous badge, indicating that ludicrous mode is coming.
They don’t want to say that out loud because some will choose to wait until ludicrous mode is available before they will purchase. So they hold it back, sell as many cars as possible to those who are excited about the car and either don’t care or see right through this, and then later on when ludicrous mode is released you get automatic free advertising from all over the place and there’s another great quarter waiting for them to pull that trigger whenever they feel like they need it.
YES! I think this is 100% the case - I've been thinking all along, there's a Ludicrous badge but NO MENTION of 'ludicrous' anywhere. Even the acceleration mode is called 'insane' - why?
This first iteration of the Model 3 Performance is NOT the final stage of this car and it will be refreshed soon. I think early adopters will be sorely disappointed when the
actual Ludicrous version comes out. Did you notice how
weird the release (or lack thereof) for this car was? For months we heard nothing of a Performance model but saw dozens of leaked photos, all hoping for 'ludicrous' numbers - the surprise was spoiled before the official release even happened. And then, no 1/4 times anywhere, no word of top-end performance, two different battery packs and power figures... Which leads us to the next point.
Historically, Tesla swaps out batteries every ~3 years or so. That means the US spec M3P's Panasonic pack and the international LG pack are overdue for a refresh. I've been saying, the power is NERFED in this car!
The new drive unit 4D2 rear motor alone is capable of 400hp+ so why is the car only advertised at 500hp? This car is capable of putting out nearly 700hp but is power-limited by this battery (which btw, has very lackluster charging performance too). Time for a new pack!
Tesla has shown us that buying the first iteration of a new model is NOT a wise move... Think 2021 vs 2022 Plaid owners. Think of the Raven MS 2017/2018. Think of early 'vintage' M3P to the newer ones. Yeah, I'm going to WAIT on this new Model 3 Performance... Ludicrous is not even out yet!
Which makes me speculate further, are they nerfing the new M3P as to not cannibalize Model S sales? New Plaid seats indicates some further investment in MS line. Will they 1-up the Sapphire? Or, will we finally see a Model S sunset, giving way to a new Model 3 trim worthy of 'Ludicrous' naming (MSLR specs in a M3 car)?
Let's see what happens... I think a proper Ludicrous Model 3 will be coming soon, whether via new battery pack, OTA update (?), or refresh in 6-18 months.