Image Credit: Tesla.Tesla engineers apparently spend plenty of time thinking about a tri-motor Model 3 Plaid. The problem is that Tesla leadership currently has far bigger priorities than building a smaller version of the now-retired Model S Plaid.During a recent appearance on the Ride the Lightning podcast, Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy openly admitted that the idea of a high-performance tri-motor Model 3 regularly crosses his mind. When asked directly about fitting a third motor into the compact EV, Moravy simply responded, “I think about it all the time.”That comment alone was enough to ignite speculation among Tesla enthusiasts. Ever since the Model 3 Performance launched, fans have wondered whether Tesla would eventually create a true Plaid version capable of rivaling the outrageous acceleration of the Model S Plaid.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe technology already exists. Tesla clearly has the engineering capability. It simply does not appear interested in prioritizing the project right now.Tesla Already Has Most Of The PiecesThe current Model 3 Performance is already extremely quick by normal car standards. With roughly 510 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time hovering around 2.9 seconds, it comfortably outruns many traditional sports cars that cost far more.Still, it falls well short of the madness delivered by the Model S Plaid. Tesla’s former flagship sedan could launch to 60 mph in under two seconds thanks to its tri-motor setup and advanced carbon-sleeved motor technology.Moravy specifically referenced those same carbon-sleeved motors during the podcast discussion. That detail is important because it suggests Tesla has already considered how Plaid-level technology could potentially fit into the smaller Model 3 platform.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe challenge is packaging everything into a much tighter space. The current Model 3 uses one front motor and one rear motor. Adding a third motor would require significant engineering changes to the rear subframe and overall drivetrain layout. Tesla clearly believes it can be done. The question is whether doing it makes enough business sense.Tesla Has Bigger Problems To SolveImage Credit: Tesla.According to Moravy, a Model 3 Plaid currently falls into what he described as a “work for reward” scenario. In other words, the engineering effort required may not justify the payoff while Tesla focuses on much larger priorities.Right now, Tesla leadership appears far more interested in autonomous driving, Robotaxi deployment, Optimus humanoid robots, and finally getting the long-delayed Roadster into production.That's right, Tesla’s performance engineering resources are heavily bound with the upcoming Roadster project. Moravy confirmed the company’s newest and most advanced motor technology is being reserved for the halo car first.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat effectively pushes a potential Model 3 Plaid lower down the priority list, even if engineers inside Tesla would clearly love to build one.The company increasingly behaves less like a traditional automaker and more like a technology company experimenting across multiple industries simultaneously. New vehicles no longer appear to dominate Tesla’s attention the way they once did.The Timing Feels Strange For TeslaIronically, now might actually be the perfect moment for Tesla to introduce a Model 3 Plaid. The company recently retired the Model S and Model X in several markets, leaving Tesla without a true flagship performance car in its mainstream lineup.A tri-motor Model 3 could easily fill that gap while offering extreme performance at a more accessible price point. It would also help reinforce Tesla’s performance image at a time when rivals like Hyundai, Porsche, Lucid, and Xiaomi continue launching increasingly impressive high-performance EVs. Instead, Tesla appears content letting the current Model 3 Performance carry the torch alone for now.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat decision may frustrate enthusiasts, especially because Moravy’s comments strongly suggest the engineering team already knows exactly how they would approach a Plaid version.The Roadster Still Looms Over EverythingImage Credit: Tesla.The Roadster remains the giant unanswered question hovering over Tesla’s performance future. Originally unveiled back in 2017, the next-generation Roadster has become one of the longest-running delays in modern automotive history.Moravy recently confirmed that prototypes are actively testing and that the Roadster will eventually be built at Gigafactory Texas. He also hinted that Tesla’s newest motor technology and pure performance focus are centered almost entirely on that project right now.That means any future Model 3 Plaid would likely have to wait until after the Roadster finally reaches production. Tesla traditionally allows flagship technology to trickle down into more affordable models later on, so the possibility certainly remains alive. For now, though, Tesla appears far more interested in robots and autonomous driving than building another ultra-fast sedan.A Model 3 Plaid Still Feels InevitableImage Credit: Tesla.Despite the delays and shifting priorities, Moravy’s comments made one thing very clear: Tesla has not forgotten about performance enthusiasts entirely.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe company already possesses the motors, battery technology, and engineering knowledge necessary to create a genuinely outrageous Model 3 Plaid. A tri-motor compact sedan capable of humiliating supercars is absolutely within Tesla’s reach. The real obstacle is attention.Right now, Tesla leadership simply believes Robotaxis, AI, and humanoid robots are more important than building another EV equivalent of a muscle car. Whether that eventually changes remains to be seen, but the fact Tesla engineers still openly discuss the idea suggests the dream is not dead yet.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
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