Elon Musk revealed the new 2018 Tesla Model 3 in California. Model 3 is formally a mixture of S and X models, the interior reveals a traditional large digital display, the autopilot function will be serial. Reach at least 350 kilometers, the price in the US is promised to be 35 thousand dollars (31 thousand euros).

Tesla model 3 main highlights

• A completely new design of the vehicle, not many components shared with the model S.
• Range of the car at least 350 kilometers.
• Acceleration up to a hundred kilometers per hour in less than six seconds.
• Two luggage compartments (trunk, frunk).
• High safety standards.
• The base price before incentives in the US: 35 thousand dollars.
• Within 24 hours they received 115 thousand reservations.

Within 24 hours 115 thousand people paid the reservation

The long-awaited Tesla model 3 was introduced in California by Elon Musk. Model 3 electric sedan is dimensionally similar to the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3-Series, which will probably be its main competitors. Car design is of course still a prototype and study, but Elon Musk promised that the first examples will be delivered to US customers by the end of next year. The interest in the new Tesla model 3 is huge. In the first 24 hours of the booking 115 thousand people paid the reservation of 1,000 dollars.

Tesla model 3 range at least 350 kilometers (215 miles), Autopilot hardware as part of the standard equipment

Even the basic model 3 will be able to accelerate from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in less than six seconds, while the most powerful version is expected to accelerate to this speed faster than the BMW M3 (4.2 seconds). The electric range of the base vehicle will be, according to Musk, at least 350 kilometers or 215 miles, and the automatic drive known from the Tesla Autopilot safety features will be a part of the standard equipment.

Like the Model S, the new model 3 will also maintain two luggage compartments. Musk has promised to present the highest safety standards in all evaluation categories. He also said with confidence that the first cars will be delivered to customers at the end of next year (2017) and believes that for 35 thousand dollars we will not be able to buy a better vehicle. »Even without an additional equipment, Model 3 will be a very good car,” Musk concluded.

The batteries will be produced at the new plant, which is being built together with Panasonic

While electric crossover Model X is created on the foundations of the model S, the Model 3 is created on a completely new platform. Aluminum replaced steel in many areas. The structure of the vehicle and engine technology, as well as batteries, are also completely new. The batteries will, as promised by Tesla engineers, ensure a comparable energy density and range in a smaller volume than batteries available on current models S and X.

Tesla will manufacture a new generation of lithium-ion batteries by itself in a large factory, which is being built in Nevada in cooperation with Panasonic. The opening of this factory, which is expected to happen next year, is crucial for the success of the Tesla Model 3.

115 million US dollars from 115,000 people for a car that has not been seen…

The interest is obviously extremely high. It never happened before that potential car buyers would camp in front of showrooms to be able to pay for the reservation. Till now or lately, the similar euphoria was known when launching new electronics products, such as new-generation iPhone.

Tesla Model 3 as part of a three-stage Tesla Motors plan

At its presentation in California, Musk recalled the history of its electric models, which had a major impact on the entire automotive industry since the first roadster. Tesla Roadster was an expensive sports car, which was sold in low numbers. The Roadster was followed by the model S, which significantly increased sales volume (around 50 thousand sold annually and for the first time demonstrated the potential of electric vehicles of the future. The Tesla Motors offer was expanded last year with the model X.

Tesla is not alone in EV World

We assume that the new Model 3 will try to persuade and convert as many buyers as possible from the traditional mid-sized sedan buyers.  In the first line there are German competitors mentioned above in this article (Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class), which are somehow comparable with their dimensions and also with the price. The main and most obvious advantage Tesla Model 3 has, is of course the running cost of “fuel”, which is in case of Model 3 (if charged at Tesla charging stations), practically zero.

How much can you save on “fuel cost” with Tesla Model 3?

If you drive 25 thousand kilometers per year and to every 100 kilometers spend seven liters of fuel, the annual fuel cost is roughly about 1,700 euros (fuel price is of course very different around the world, we took a price of around 1 euro per liter). By driving Tesla the fuel savings can add up to more than eight thousand in five years. Subtract that value from the purchase price and then compare it with the purchase price of petrol competition. The offer is more than tempting, isn’t it?

On the other hand, Tesla competitors are also entering into the EV World. We already have BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius and similar. And there are also a lot of announcement of upcoming EV models. Such as Hyundai Ioniq and Chevy Bolt (both coming on the market in late 2016), which are going to be available to customers long before the Model 3.

Nevertheless, Tesla Motors already created a huge reputation, because of which many customers are willing to wait a little bit longer to get the Model 3 instead of choosing another already available EV option. At least 115,000 of them will do so.

Image credit: Tesla