Spoilers / V3 Alpha
V3 Alpha
The V3 Beta airfoil with two swept endplates at chopped tips. On our finest simulation it adds about 110 N of rear downforce at 80 mph and trims drag by about 2%.
What the CFD says
Changes against the same Model 3 with no spoiler at 80 mph, from our finest simulation: transient DDES on a 17.2 million cell mesh. ± is one standard error. Negative lift is downforce.
Mean surface pressure, finest mesh. Drag the handle: the red patch on the trunk lid is the pressure that pushes the rear down. Spin the car in the airflow viewer.
Our earlier, coarser simulations put the drag saving higher: 15 N on a 9 million cell mesh and 25 to 28 N in steady runs. The finest mesh says 7 N, about 2%. The load on the deck held steady between the two finer meshes, and the total rear downforce came out at about 110 N. See how the answer sharpened.
Against the V3 Beta on the same finest mesh the two are a statistical tie: the differences in drag and rear downforce (2 N and 10 N) are inside the error bars. Every number here comes from the same car model and settings, so they compare like for like.
Full method and data in the white paperStatus
| Simulation | Complete CFDSteady at two mesh levels, transient at three. |
|---|---|
| On the car | 300 → 240 Wh/mi owner-reportedDeveloper’s Model 3 Performance. One car, not a controlled test. |
| Controlled test | Not yet run pending |
Construction
The airfoil is the structure
The spoiler is an exoskeleton airfoil: its single 0.7 mm wall of carbon fiber reinforced plastic is both the aerodynamic surface and the structure. That is how it stays this light.
| Weight | ≈225 g (0.50 lb) calculatedFrom the CAD skin at the 0.7 mm wall. Excludes the section joints and tape. Measured finished weight will be posted after weigh-in. |
|---|---|
| Measured weight | Not yet published pending |
| Skin | 0.7 mm single wall |
| Material | Carbon fiber reinforced plastic |
| Finish | Matte black |
| Span, tip to tip | 1,423 mm |
|---|---|
| Depth | 102 mm at the centerline, 59 mm outboard |
| Profile height | 26 mm max |
| Endplates | 2 swept plates, 25 mm tall × 30 mm long × 3 mm thickOne at each chopped tip, outboard face flush with the tip. |
| Fitment | Tesla Model 3, 2017 to 2026Coming soon: Model Y Gen 1 and the refreshed Model Y. |
In the box
- 8 numbered sectionsThey snap together in order, 1 to 8.
- Pre-cut mounting tapeAlready cut to fit.
- Surface-prep wipeCleans the trunk lid before the tape goes on.
- Build videoThe video is the manual, step by step.
Professional installation recommended
The V3 Alpha is bonded once. It is not designed to be removed, repositioned, or adjusted after installation: pulling or shifting it can crack or tear the 0.7 mm skin. Have a professional installer fit it, and dry-fit before any tape liner comes off.
Read the installation notesEffort tally
What went into it
The running count for the Model 3 spoiler program, totals only.
CFD receipt
Tesla Model 3 spoiler program
Updated October 28, 2026
- CFD solver runs
- 249
- over 10 minutes
- 156
- Iterations + time steps
- 438,164
- Meshes built
- 245
- Solver hours, CPU-equiv.
- ≈665
- CPU-equiv. core-hours
- ≈9,100
Totals only. All runs in OpenFOAM. Counts are lower bounds.
Simulated first. Made second.