Introduced nearly a year ago, the new Tesla Model 3 Performance redefined expectations for a modern performance sedan, not just within the electric segment but across the sports sedan category as a whole. In U.S. specification, it delivers 510 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in just 2.9 seconds, and achieves a top speed of over 162 mph (261 km/h). The European version, equipped with a different battery configuration, produces 460 horsepower and completes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 3.1 seconds with the same 262 km/h (162 mph) top speed.
Despite this level of performance, the car maintains impressive efficiency, offering more than 300 miles (over 480 km) of practical driving range while blending supercar acceleration with everyday usability. All of these qualities make the Model 3 Performance an ideal foundation for aftermarket development, particularly when enhanced by high-quality upgrades from Unplugged Performance, where proven track records & experience get blended into such a quality platform, creating a true track-capable beast.
The Red Rocket Build
Showcasing the complete Unplugged Performance tuning program for the 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance demanded more than advanced engineering; it required the perfect color to bring the transformation to life. Shades like Solid Black, Pearl White, and Deep Blue Metallic all carry their own character, but none offered the drama and commanding presence necessary to capture the essence of this build. That role belonged to Ultra Red.
Tesla’s Ultra Red is one of the most striking factory finishes available from any automaker, a color that accentuates every contour of the Model 3 Performance’s design. In standard form, it highlights the sedan’s flowing lines, but when paired with the complete Unplugged Performance carbon fiber aero package, it pushes the car into an entirely new visual territory. The vivid red finish plays off the gloss and texture of exposed carbon, creating a presence that is both refined and aggressive—a look that matches the performance upgrades beneath the surface.
The Unplugged Performance Model 3 Performance Carbon Fiber Aero Kit
The centerpiece of the Red Rocket build is the full Unplugged Performance carbon fiber aero kit, developed specifically for the 2024+ Tesla Model 3 Performance and the first of its kind for this refreshed platform. Constructed from prepreg dry carbon fiber with Kevlar reinforcement and cured in an autoclave, the kit delivers maximum rigidity at the lowest possible weight. This is a motorsport-grade package designed with the same attention to engineering as any functional performance component.
Where many aftermarket kits prioritize style over substance, Unplugged Performance built this system around hard data. Using advanced computational fluid dynamics, the aero suite generates 426 pounds (193 kg) of additional downforce at speed while increasing drag by only 1.93 percent. With Tesla’s already low drag coefficient of 0.219 essentially preserved, the car maintains its efficiency while achieving far greater aerodynamic stability and grip.
The complete program consists of a front lip spoiler that anchors the nose, reshaped front canards and deflectors that channel airflow cleanly along the body, and a racing diffuser that enhances ground effect. Side skirts and rear spats stabilize underbody flow, while a rear diffuser trim manages the air as it exits. At the back, the Ascension-R rear wing provides substantial high-speed stability, though owners may also choose a more subtle trunk-lid spoiler option for reduced visual impact with nearly the same aerodynamic benefit. Each component is designed to integrate seamlessly, creating a package that is both visually striking and functionally advanced.
Suspension Made For The Track, At Home On The Street
At the heart of the Red Rocket build are the UP Race Pro Coilovers. These Race Spec coilovers combine Unplugged Performance’s proven coilover design with race-specific valving and springs, delivering world-class track performance while maintaining a firm yet street-friendly ride. They have helped Tesla Model 3s set record lap times at circuits like Tsukuba and Buttonwillow, proving their effectiveness in high-speed, competitive environments. Designed for all Tesla Model 3 years from 2017 through 2024+, the coilovers feature fully adjustable compression and rebound, allowing drivers to fine-tune handling, chassis balance, and ride quality according to their driving style.
Complementing the coilovers are the UP Street & Track sway bars. These bars dramatically reduce body roll during aggressive cornering and improve transitional responsiveness, allowing the car to remain composed and predictable in high-speed maneuvers. By stiffening the front and rear roll resistance, the sway bars ensure that the suspension can fully exploit the additional grip provided by tires and the aero package, improving stability and driver confidence both on track and on twisty roads.
To further refine handling precision, the Red Rocket also features UP billet camber and toe arms. These components allow exact adjustment of wheel geometry under load, ensuring that tires maintain maximum contact with the road through corners, hard braking, and high-speed transitions. The durable billet construction prevents flex even under extreme conditions, keeping alignment consistent and predictable while supporting the aggressive cornering limits made possible by the coilovers and sway bars.
Together, this suspension package transforms the Model 3 Performance into a balanced, track-capable machine. The coilovers provide adaptive, race-proven damping, the sway bars sharpen cornering response, and the camber and toe arms guarantee precise alignment under load. Combined with the car’s wide tires and aerodynamic enhancements, the Red Rocket build offers handling that is both aggressive and controlled, giving drivers confidence to push the limits while maintaining street usability. With a two-year warranty including track use and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, the Unplugged Performance suspension upgrades represent a complete, high-performance solution for enthusiasts seeking the perfect balance of track capability and everyday drivability.
Carbon-Ceramic Big Brake Kit
The Red Rocket’s braking system is anchored by Unplugged Performance’s Superlight Carbon-Ceramic Big Brake Kit, a top-tier upgrade designed to meet the demands of high-speed performance and track use. At its core are massive 15.5-inch carbon-ceramic rotors paired with six-piston forged calipers, offering a significant reduction in unsprung mass compared to traditional iron rotors. This weight savings enhances vehicle dynamics, improving acceleration, handling responsiveness, and overall agility. The carbon-ceramic material also provides exceptional heat resistance, ensuring consistent braking performance even under extreme conditions.
The kit includes performance-grade brake pads and stainless steel braided lines, which contribute to sharper pedal response and precise modulation. These components are engineered to operate effectively without requiring high temperatures, making them suitable for both daily driving and spirited track sessions. The system is designed for quiet operation and minimal brake fade, even during repeated hard use.
For a vehicle capable of sustained high speeds exceeding 160 mph, such a braking system is indispensable. It provides the reliability and performance necessary for consistent deceleration, whether navigating mountain roads or engaging in track events. This upgrade not only enhances safety but also elevates the driving experience, offering confidence-inspiring stopping power in all conditions.
Lightweight UP-03 Forged Wheels as a Final Touch
The Red Rocket is equipped with Unplugged Performance UP-03 forged wheels, the pinnacle of wheel engineering for this platform, and one of the lightest wheels available. For this build, the wheels are sized 18×10.9 inches with a +37 offset at both the front and rear, completing a track-ready square setup. Furthermore, the wheels are finished in Gloss Black, providing a striking contrast against the Ultra Red exterior finish and the carbon fiber aero components. Crafted from aerospace-grade forged aluminum, the UP-03 wheels are engineered to handle the unique weight and torque characteristics of Tesla vehicles. They feature knurled barrels to reduce the possibility of tire slip during aggressive driving and are designed to accommodate Tesla’s TPMS sensors and factory lug nuts. The wheels are backed by an unlimited mileage and track-use warranty, ensuring durability and performance under extreme conditions.
The wheels are wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN A052 tires in a 295/35/18 square setup, delivering exceptional mechanical grip, precise feedback, and high-speed stability. This combination of lightweight forged wheels and high-performance tires ensures that the Model 3 Performance can fully exploit the upgraded suspension, aero package, and braking system, making the Red Rocket not only visually aggressive but also mechanically optimized for both street and track performance.
Track Pedigree: From Pikes Peak to Setting Lap Records
What sets Unplugged Performance apart is not just its catalog of parts but the pedigree behind them. The company has competed at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, one of the world’s toughest motorsport events, using heavily modified Tesla platforms to push electric performance to its limits. Their cars have set multiple EV lap records at circuits worldwide, including Buttonwillow Raceway and Laguna Seca, serving as rolling test beds for the very components offered to customers.
This experience translates directly into the engineering behind the Red Rocket. The carbon fiber aero kit is shaped by the same principles used in their race cars. Suspension tuning benefits from data gathered during competitive events. The carbon-ceramic brakes are built to withstand the same stresses encountered during record-setting runs. It is this direct motorsport-to-street pipeline that elevates the package beyond typical aftermarket tuning.
A Cohesive Performance Package
Taken together, the Red Rocket is more than a visual exercise to show off the complete carbon fiber aero package for the Model 3 Performance. The aero package generates real downforce, the suspension keeps the chassis composed & collected through the corners, while the wheel & tire setup ensures mechanical grip. Add the carbon-ceramic brakes, providing ample stopping power, and the lap times get quicker on every run. Every element supports the others, creating a machine that feels cohesive, engineered, and complete.
In stock form, the 2024 Model 3 Performance is already one of the quickest sedans on the market. In Red Rocket form, with Unplugged’s engineering expertise layered on top, it becomes something more: a track-capable, motorsport-oriented sports sedan that retains the usability, efficiency, and refinement that make Tesla ownership appealing, all the while increasing its capability to reach impressive performance levels and speed. It is the most explicit demonstration yet of how far the Model 3 platform can be pushed when motorsport experience meets precision engineering.
For a more detailed look at the 2024+ Tesla Model 3 Performance Red Rocket build, please take a look at the media gallery added below. If you would like additional information, technical specifications, or expert guidance for your Model 3 Performance build, please contact us for more info. With extensive experience and hands-on knowledge, our specialists can provide the insights and recommendations needed to transform your Model 3 Performance into a more capable, track-ready machine than ever before.
