Ultra Red is the color that stayed with me long after I walked past the Tesla Model 3 at the Thai Motor Expo 2025. While Tesla offers the exact same color options for the electric sedan in Thailand as it does in the U.S., each color plays a role.
Having followed the automotive scene closely since 2005, I can tell you that styling departments across car brands regularly plan certain shades just to draw attention on show floors or in marketing material as the communication color. Ultra Red, which was introduced with the Model 3 ‘Highland’ last year, can do that, yet it stays within the tastes of what many buyers globally want in their everyday car.
Having seen this color in the U.S., Europe, and here in Asia on the new Model 3, I can say that the finish looks rich under sunlight, and sharp under the bright lights of an indoor exhibition hall. Since it is a paid option, Ultra Red may not become the most common choice, but it is how I would spec my own Model 3, if I were to get one!
The unit displayed at the Thai Motor Expo 2025 was a Giga Shanghai unit, confirmed by the vehicle label on the windshield. This example was the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version. The sticker listed the battery pack as using an NMC/Graphite chemistry.
Battery voltage was 355 volts, curb weight was 1,836 kg (4,047 lb), the car sat on 235/40R19 tires, seating capacity was five, and the listed range under the local test cycle was 691 km (429 mi). It accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds.
The standard features across all trims are familiar. They include a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 8-inch second-row touchscreen, and eight exterior cameras with a new front-facing unit. Basic Autopilot can steer, accelerate, and brake within the lane, supported by Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Avoidance.
Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a tinted glass roof, and an air filtration system are standard. Entertainment access includes Tesla Theater and Arcade, and the Tesla app enables remote locking, unlocking, and cabin pre-conditioning. Dashcam and Sentry Mode handle event recording while driving and monitoring when the car is parked.
The Thai-market price on this unit was 1,649,000 THB (USD 51,620).
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
