The Model 3 is a handsome machine that looks every bit like a smaller version of the company’s Model S.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk didn’t reveal many of the car’s specs or features last night, but he did say base cars can travel more than 215 miles between charge-ups and hit 60 mph in six seconds.
All Model 3s will have the hardware for Autopilot and be Supercharger capable -- critical, considering Tesla plans to double the number of those Supercharger stations to 7,200 worldwide by 2017. Musk assured the crowd that safety is a key component of all Teslas and expects the Model 3 to return five stars in every safety category.
The Model 3 has front and rear trunks just like the Model S, so according to Tesla, it should provide more cargo space than any car in its class. Musk says it can even fit a 7-foot surfboard.
Autoweek, an affiliate of Automotive News, had a chance to go for a short ride in the Model 3, though the car wasn’t a base model. It was equipped with the optional air suspension and rode on big 235/35R20 tires up front and fat 275/30R20 rear tires, likely an upgrade over smaller standard tires.
We also learned that this particular Model 3 was a dual-motor model with all-wheel drive -- it was certainly quick, pushing us deep into the seat with that wonderful thick wall of torque that’s typical of all Teslas.
On the inside the dash is very low and provides an expansive view of the road ahead. There are no gauges in the Model 3 -- just one huge, 15-inch touchscreen monitor that displays everything from speed to navigation and climate controls. There are no buttons anywhere on the dash, which is both clean looking and a bit strange at the same time.
We sat in the rear seat and found legroom and headroom is excellent. Practically the entire roof was glass on our car, which provided a wonderful view. Roof options will also include a metal panel over the driver.
After the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, a base Tesla Model 3 should cost right around $27,500. The Model 3’s chief competitor will be the Chevy Bolt. With the same credit, the 200-mile-range Bolt will sell for $30,000 and reportedly hit 60 mph in less then seven seconds. The Bolt gets the jump on the Model 3 in terms of timing. It will arrive by the end of 2016 -- a full year ahead of the Tesla. But the Bolt doesn’t have Tesla’s sleek design, techy cachet or built-in fan base.
The Model 3 is most certainly the most important car Tesla has ever produced. It’s the first one priced in a neighborhood that many new car buyers can afford.
And as long as the Model 3 launches without the delays and quality problems of the previous models, it will be key to the company meeting its goal of moving 500,000 cars a year by 2020.
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