Tesla has introduced a new rear-wheel-drive version of its Model 3 for the Singapore market, called the “Drive 110.” This version favors affordability over raw performance, making it potentially attractive to consumers in Singapore due to the country’s unique car ownership regulations.

The new Model 3 sacrifices some performance for a lower price

This new version has a lower price tag of S$69,300 (approximately RMB 372,700) compared to the standard rear-wheel drive model. However, it makes some performance sacrifices with a total power output of 110kW and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.6 seconds (compared to 6.1 seconds for the standard model). Interestingly, both versions have the same WLTP range of 513km.

It remains unclear whether this version will be available in mainland China, as it has been specifically designed to comply with Singapore’s regulations.

So why the Drive 110? Singapore’s car ownership system requires bidding on a Certificate of Ownership (COE) before purchasing a car. There are two categories of COE: Class A (up to 110kW) and Class B (over 110kW). Class A COEs are significantly cheaper. When considering both the COE value and the price of the car, the Drive 110 with a Class A COE becomes a more affordable option for consumers in Singapore, despite the performance reduction compared to the standard rear-wheel drive version.