Tesla unveils its most affordable electric car, the Model 3. Expected to go on sale by end 2017 in major global markets including India.
Say hello to the Tesla Model 3 – the all new all-electric executive sedan from Elon Musk’s electric car company. The Model 3 is the fourth model by Tesla after the Roadster, Model S sedan and Model X crossover. But what makes it special is the fact that it’s the most affordable, less expensive and cheaper to run all-electric car in the Tesla range. And the best bit is that it will also be coming to India!
The Model 3 was unveiled at an event in California. At the launch, Tesla CEO Elon Musk described the Model 3 as the final step in the company’s “master plan”. That’s because with the newly launched sedan, the company aims at making Tesla cars attainable to more and more people – not only in its home country but elsewhere in world as well. The Model 3 is scheduled to go on sale by end 2017 in the US with a price tag of $35,000 (~ Rs 23.21 lakh, excluding duties and before incentives). That means it will compete against the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, etc.
Tesla has not revealed the technical details of the Model 3, but it assures that “the company does not make slow cars.” To back those claims, Tesla says the Model 3 will hit 0-100km/h in under 6 seconds, while faster versions will also be offered. The Model 3 will have a range of 346km on full charge.
Styling wise, the Model 3 takes inspiration from the Model S and Model X, with similar design elements such as a long and sloping roofline, high beltline, etc. Apart from that, it also has a single pane of glass that forms the windscreen, extends to the roof, and merges into the stubby boot. Inside, the Model 3 can sit 5 people abreast. Tesla claims the Model 3 will have 5-star safety ratings in all categories.
Tesla’s Autopilot autonomous driving technology would be fitted as standard in the Model 3 upon launch in the US. Also standard on the new model is Tesla’s Supercharger technology which is the company’s global network of fast chargers. Currently there are 3,608 Superchargers in Europe, North America and Asia but Tesla will double that count to 7,200 by the end of 2017 before the Model 3 is launched.
The Model 3 will be manufactured at Tesla’s existing factory at Fremont, California with batteries sourced from its new Gigafactory in Nevada. Although sales only begin in late 2017, Tesla claims to have received over 115,000 pre-orders for the car within hours of the launch!
As of now, it’s uncertain when or how Tesla plans to sell the Model 3 in India. That said, Elon Musk has confirmed that interested customers in India can pre-book the vehicle now for a refundable sum of $1,000 (~ Rs 66,000).
Also read: Tesla launches world’s first luxury electric SUV – Model X
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