And Elon Musk complied. Tesla's CEO had promised to start production of the Model 3 during the month of July and that goal was achieved. This weekend, in a media ceremony, he handed over the keys to the first 30 Model 3s to their new owners.
These are employees of Tesla itself, who will also serve as beta testers, that is, test pilots that will allow you to smooth out all the rough edges before the first deliveries to customers begin to be made in October.
The waiting list is long. The presentation of the Model 3, in April 2016, led to 373,000 people making the pre-booking – around 1000 dollars – a phenomenon only comparable to the launch of a new iPhone. But that number has not stopped growing. Musk admitted that the number of pre-bookings currently amounts to 500,000. In other words, with the announced production plans, most deliveries will only take place in 2018.
Plans point to more than 100 cars being produced during the month of August, more than 1500 in September and from then on to increase the cadence until reaching 20 thousand units per month in December. The goal of 500,000 cars a year should be possible in 2018.
Doubts still persist about Tesla's ability to make the leap from a small builder to a high-volume one. Not only because of the scale of the task of installing a production line capable of producing half a million cars a year, but also because of the capacity to deal with after-sales. The problems that the Model S and Model X have suffered are known, so it is imperative that the launch of the Model 3, which will add hundreds of thousands of new cars a year, goes better. The Model 3 is definitely the ultimate litmus test for Tesla.
Access price for $35,000? not quite
Given the initial number of orders to be filled, it was necessary to simplify the production line as much as possible. For that, only one configuration of the Model 3 will be produced initially and will cost about 49 thousand dollars pre-incentives, 14 thousand dollars more than the 35 thousand promised. The range-access version will only reach the production line at the end of the year.The $14,000 more brings a larger battery pack – allowing 499 km of autonomy instead of the 354 km of the base version – and better performance. The 0-96 km/h is completed in 5.1 seconds, 0.5 seconds less than the access version. The longer range is a $9000 option, so the remaining $5000 will result in the addition of a Premium package. This package includes equipment such as electrically adjustable seats and steering, heated seats, panoramic roof, higher quality audio system and better interior coverings, such as wood.
Even when production is at cruising speed and all configurations are in production, Tesla itself estimates the Model 3 will have an average purchase price of around $42,000 per unit, putting it at the level, in the US, of Premium D segment, where we can find proposals like the BMW 3 Series.
The Model 3 in detail
A year ago we got to know the first prototypes and the final production model of the Tesla Model 3, it doesn't differ much from them. The Model 3's criticized nose has been softened, the trunk has seen its access improved, and the seats fold down to 40/60. Physically it is a little bigger than a BMW 3 Series – it is 4.69 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.44 m high. The wheelbase is long, reaching 2.87 m and promises room rates similar to the German model.
For now it only comes with rear-wheel drive – all-wheel drive will be available in 2018 – and weighs 1609 or 1730 kg, depending on the battery pack. The front suspension is double wishbones, while the rear uses a multi-arm layout. Wheels are 18 inches as standard, with 19 inches as an option.
But it's on the inside that Model 3 stands out, taking minimalism to a new level. There is no conventional dashboard, just a huge 15-inch central touchscreen. The only buttons present are the ones found on the steering wheel and behind it there are rods like in other cars. Otherwise, everything will be accessible only and only through the central screen.
As standard the Model 3 comes with all the necessary hardware for some standalone capabilities – seven cameras, frontal radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors. But to access the full potential of Autopilot you will need to pay more. THE Enhanced Autopilot is available for an additional $5000, allowing active cruise control and lane-stay assistance. A self-contained Model 3 will be a future option and is already priced – another $3000 on top of the $5000. However, the availability of this option is not dependent on Tesla, but rather on the introduction of regulations that will affect autonomous vehicles.
For the Portuguese who pre-booked the Tesla Model 3, the wait will still be long. The first deliveries will only take place in 2018.