Tesla finally released details of their highly anticipated Model 3, at an event Friday evening, handing out keys to the first 30 production cars, which consisted of vehicles for employees (CEO Elon Musk received the first car).
The company also revealed final specs for two available Tesla Model 3 configurations, Standard and Long Range.
Let’s take a look at specs for the Model 3, which is made from steel and aluminum. We’ve converted imperial measurements to metric and U.S. dollars to Canadian for ease of reference:
Electrek was one of many press outlets that attended the Model 3 event and were provided specs and extra options of the Tesla 3, listed below:
Interior
Convenience
As for safety, the event showed the Model 3 beating out the Volvo S60 in a side impact test, with Musk saying “In the Model 3, you’re fine,” adding “The Volvo is wrapped like a burrito around a coat hanger. It’s not good.” Well played, Elon.
Safety
Extra Options
Long Range Battery – $9,000 USD ($11,190 CAD)
Paint – Solid Black is Standard
Premium Upgrades Package – $5,000 USD ($6,216 CAD)
Enhanced Autopilot – $5,000 USD ($6,216 CAD)
Full Self-Driving Capability – $3,000 USD (requires Enhanced Autopilot); $3,730 CAD
CEO Elon Musk told reporters ahead of its event, “We’re going to go through at least six months of manufacturing hell,” saying 10,000 unique components make up each Model 3, and if any supplier hits a bump, it affects final production. About 70 per cent of parts come from NAFTA countries, with the remaining from elsewhere, said the CEO.
At its Fremont factory, Musk said “In the same amount of space that it takes to build 50,000 Model Ss, we can build 250,000 Model 3s,” according to Ars Technica. The goal is to manufacture 500,000 Model 3s per year, with predictions 50,000 cars will hit the streets in 2018.
The CEO said (via Bloomberg) “We finally have a great, affordable, electric car—that’s what this day means,” adding “I’m really confident this will be the best car in this price range, hands down. Judge for yourself.”
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen—he designed the Model S, X and 3—told Bloomberg, “The interior is nothing like any other car out there,” adding “When you get in the car, how does it feel? When you see the car, how does it make you feel? When you drive the car, what does it inspire in you?”
Ars says both Standard and Long Range have different batteries—so you won’t be able to “software unlock” an upgrade in the future, like on existing Model S and X models. The Model 3 uses newer, larger battery cells versus Model S and Model X:
But both cars use 2170 cells in the battery—that is, the cells are slightly bigger than those found in the Model S and X at 21mm by 70mm, and they can deliver almost twice what the current 18650 cells deliver to the Model S and X in terms of current. The pack itself is also more integrated with the charger and the rest of the car in its build.
Other Model 3 tidbits:
According to Musk, there are “over half a million” Model 3 reservations put down, at $1,000 a pop ($500 million bucks).
How does the Model 3 handle in a test drive? Here’s what Electrek had to say:
As for the driving experience itself, it felt a lot like a Model S 60 with a 0-60 acceleration of 5.1 seconds.
Despite being about 1,000 pounds lighter than the Model S, it felt very solid with sharp handling, especially in “sport” steering mode. It benefits from the same architecture as its predecessors with the battery pack laying flat close to the ground between the axles.
I honestly didn’t have enough time with the car to form a valuable opinion on the driving experience, but my first impression is that it feels solid for a vehicle of its size and again, very comparable to the base Model S in term of driving.
While Canadian specific pricing is not available yet, if we factor in just the exchange rate alone, here’s what it would cost for a maxed-out Tesla Model 3 ‘Long Range’ configuration, in Canadian dollars:
Tesla’s website says new Model 3 reservations in Canada have a delivery estimate of mid-2018 or later.
A new Tesla Model S with 75 kWh battery starts at $113,100 CAD, a nearly $40,000 difference.
Is the Model 3 the most affordable Tesla right now? Maybe in the U.S., but the Canadian dollar isn’t helping. If you’re buying a Tesla, you’re buying it for their autopilot technology and charging network, something rivals have yet to catch up on.
Below is the full Model 3 event, where Musk thanked everyone for believing in the company and putting down money for reservations:
Click here to buy a Model 3, Model S or Model X and get 1,500km free Supercharging.
