The Tesla Model 3 certainly won't disappoint the innovative automotive brand's faithful. That, despite being the brand's first mass-market offering, which triggered speculations that some of its features will be diluted along with its unbelievably-affordable price of USD 35,000.
Tesla continues to keep much of the specifics on the Model 3 to itself, regardless of its 400,000-strong pre-order list that is only expected to grow longer. Yet, a potentially-long wait until 2018 for orders to arrive hasn't deterred customers, what with the impressive features in store.
Design-wise, the Model 3 won't just be anyone's plastic-clad quick-fix car. Instead, it makes great use of the car's affordable price - sleeker aerodynamics for better charge efficiency (with a 0.21cd target drag coefficient), grille-less front, and a second front trunk to complement the small back trunk.
Customers also have a range of choices for exterior colors for their Model 3s, which, by the way, will all come with alloy wheels as well. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also added that the company is planning to enlarge the small back trunk design production, noting that the issue has "already been taken care of."
Tesla, however, has been very secretive about the Model 3's interior, but it's expected to be among the biggest revelations on launch day, Jalopnik has reported. A clutter-free environment - one that's understandably for the future, may characterize the new car's interiors.
The Model 3 will also incorporate Tesla's reputed Autopilot suite - one that has been made available in both the pricier Model S and Model X. Self-driving modes, however, would set customers back with an additional fee within the region of USD 3,000.
With the price tag the center of attention, customers are understandably all eyes on the Model 3's performance. Tesla promises the car of being capable of 215 miles on a single-charged 60 kWh battery. The company will sell larger battery packs, which of course will give out greater performance.
Auto Express was able to test a Model 3 prototype, as it ran from 0-62 mph in just below six seconds for the two-wheel drive variants. An estimated four seconds or less is expected for the four-wheel variants. Extra power in the form of a USD 10,000-Ludicrous mode can further increase the Model 3's performance.
The Week described the Model 3 as Tesla's culminating model for its first "master plan," which first took off with the production of the limited-volume Roadster back in 2008. The company's pricey two-door helped fund the production of the Model S, which was sold cheaper and in greater numbers.
Set to follow through that pattern, the Model 3 paces itself with the price and production numbers of many mass-market cars. With ample funding and a sizable customer base coming from the pre-order list alone, the car will be built on Tesla's third-generation platform, producing more efficient battery packs.
