Tesla Model 3: Prices, specs and release date

Tesla Model 3: Prices, specs and release date

Elon Musk confirms cell manufacturer as fans find a way to discover how long they have to wait for their car

Tesla's most affordable car yet is set to arrive next year. The Model 3 – a car the firm promises will be priced competitively while delivering an experience on par with its more expensive Model S and Model X options - has been revealed in pre-production form to some fanfare. Some 370,000 potential customers have placed a deposit.

The car marks a big step up for Tesla and Elon Musk's firm has had to alter the course of its production plans in order to accommodate interest in its first mass production all-electric vehicle.

Not every detail was disclosed at the car's reveal, but new information is constantly emerging ahead of our next official update, expected later this year.

Here's what we know.

Design

While unmistakably Tesla, the Model 3's look is almost a clean slate compared to the firm's other offerings and from what we've seen so far, is clearly at the front in terms of new design.

Tesla recently facelifted its Model S, replacing the rounded, black facia with the slimline moustache grille found on its Model X SUV. Neither of these are on the pre-production Model 3; there's no large opening sitting high in the front bumper, only smaller vents lower down, and while a shape resembling a grille remains, there are no openings, just a squared-off lip at the top. The headlights sitting above it are brand new, too.

The overhangs, front and rear, are much shorter than on the Model S and the large glass roof feeds all the way from the front of the car to the boot. Be aware, though, it's not a hatchback. The boot opening is only small.

Overall, the new shape and design cues should make for a slippery car. Tesla has targeted a drag coefficient of just 0.21cd and Jalopnik says the "polarizing design" clearly has optimal efficiency in mind – the new front end in particular. If the firm achieves its target, it "would it be the record for the most aerodynamic mass-produced car ever made", adds the site.

Brand new alloy wheels also make the bill, although what we've seen up to now is likely to change. March's launch event was only "part one" of the car's reveal – Musk has said he is planning a "big" part two event later this year. More news on the powertrain and interior is expected and some of the exterior design elements could be altered, too.

 Just recently, Tesla revealed that the final production design for the Model 3 would be signed off by the end of July, with final engineering decisions to be made over the next six to nine weeks.

Power, charging, and range

Musk confirmed at the car's reveal that the Model 3 would have a minimum range of 215 miles on a single charge.

That's smaller than the range you get on versions of the firm's larger Model S saloon, but much better than some of the cars the Model 3 will compete against like the Nissan Leaf, which currently has a 155 mile range. However, don't be surprised if rival manufacturers step up their game in time for the Model 3's release, releasing updated electric cars with comparable range.

Tesla will also offer the Model 3 with two different drivetrain options. A rear-wheel-drive version will form the cheapest versions of the car, but a dual-motor all-wheel-drive Model 3 has been confirmed too. According to CarBuyer, the dual motor versions of the Model S claim a better range, so dual motor Model 3s are expected to advance on that 215 mile minimum. It has been revealed that Panasonic will be the sole battery supplier, as with Tesla's other vehicles.

Power wise, Tesla has broadly kept things under wraps for now, but Auto Express says the base car will do 0-62mph in less than six seconds and that, during a ride in an all-wheel drive variant, a 0-62mph blast felt over in around four and a half seconds. Full battery pack details are set to be revealed closer to launch or possibly at part two of the car's reveal, which will take place at a currently unspecified date, but we do have one shred of information to work with…

Primary technical details suggest the base Model 3 will get a smaller battery pack than the one used on the first Model S. Autoblog picks up the angle, saying that Tesla was prompted into revealing some of its cards by "perceived misinformation" floated by a UBS analyst.

The analyst was making the case that the Model 3 will actually be a loss-maker to the tune of around £1,000 a car due to the cost of the battery pack. However, Tesla hit back that it makes the packs cheaper than its rivals and that the base Model 3 will use a power pack smaller than 60kWh to attain its 215-mile range – meaning it could come with a smaller battery than its key US rival, the Chevrolet Bolt.

As for the range-topping version of the car, Musk has confirmed the Model 3 will be offered with a "Ludicrous mode" option. When fitted to the firm's other offerings – the Model S and Model X SUV – it shaves 0-62mph times dramatically. The Model S saloon with Ludicrous mode hits 62mph from a standing start in just 2.8 seconds. At present, Tesla has said the Model 3 will do 0-62mph in less than six seconds, but it is unclear if that's the base car or the performance when fitted with Ludicrous mode.

The feature is likely to be expensive, detracting from the car's affordable image – choosing Ludicrous mode on a Model S will set you back an extra £8,300.

There's also movement on the charging front. According to Electrek, in the wake of the Model 3 reveal, Tesla is rapidly expanding its "Supercharger" networks and has plans to quadruple the current infrastructure to 15,000 stations within the next two years.

However, the confusion over whether Model 3 owners will get free access to the stations has now cleared up - and it is not good news.

During the initial reveal, Musk briefly mentioned that drivers would get access to the Supercharger stations, although official comment from the company shortly afterwards put that on the fence.

The Tesla boss has since confirmed drivers will have to pay to gain access to the network. There are no details regarding price, but drivers of older Model S cars using 40 and 60kWh battery packs have to pay a $2,500 (£1,730) one-off fee to upgrade their cars for free charging. It could be a similar price for the low-cost Model 3.

Drivers of more recent Model S saloons and the Model X SUV already get free access and the stations can become busy on popular routes.

Interior and tech

Tesla was keen to showcase the car's exterior design at its first reveal event for the Model 3, and the extremely minimalist, almost bare interior – there's no real dashboard, only a large centrally mounted screen – raised questions.

A different interior is expected the next time we see the car, and it's tipped to be tech heavy. Alphr points out a recent Tesla hiring in the form of a top head-up-display expert, suggesting that a strongly HUD focused interface is on the cards. Musk has teased fans on Twitter over what to expect too, saying that the car's interior will "feel like a spaceship".

The screen controls every aspect of the car. The gear selector and speedometer are displayed in the top corners, while a strip running along the bottom deals with the likes of climate control. The rest of the arrangement is taken up by maps and audio controls.

While this minimalist look could translate into production, big additions have been touted and the finished product is tipped to be tech heavy. Alphr points out a recent Tesla hiring in the form of a top head-up-display expert, suggesting that the interface is on the cards. Musk has teased fans over what to expect, too, tweeting that the car's interior will "feel like a spaceship" – again, suggesting HUD interfaces and cutting-edge controls.

Elsewhere, the Model 3 takes on a Model X design cue in the form of its roof. The rear window extends right up to the B-pillars, where it is met by a large sunroof extending over the front seats for an all-glass canopy look.  A similarly panoramic glass setup appears on the Model X and should make the Model 3's interior feel airy and spacious.

All Model 3s will come with Tesla's Autopilot as standard, with the likes of accident avoidance via automatic braking enabled from the get go. Convenience features such as self-parking capabilities, as well as the ability to summon the car from its parking spot and Autopilot self-driving, are optional extras.

However, some now speculate that the Model 3's Autopilot convenience features could extend to fully autonomous driving capabilities.

As Electrek points out, Musk was recently asked about the car's autonomous capabilities while on stage at the Code Conference in California. He replied by saying we can expect "really big news" at part two of the reveal and that the features still to be unveiled will significantly increase the number of reservations Tesla has taken.

The company will do "the obvious thing" – Electrek reckons this means full self-driving capabilities. Musk has previously said that fully autonomous Teslas should be available by 2018. With the Model 3 releasing late 2017, those who pluck for the full Autopilot suite could be treated not long after to a software update introducing complete autonomy.

Prices

Arguably the most important aspect of the Model 3 is its pricing strategy. Presently, the company is taking pre-orders for the vehicle at £1,000 per car, ahead of a full price disclosure.

Reservations are being taken on Tesla's website as well as at dealerships. Customers are limited to placing deposits on two examples – the company is removing suspected duplicate orders and has eliminated around 4,200 already.

We've been given strong indications as to what to expect. In the US, Tesla will sell the car for a starting price of around $35,000. This would translate to under £25,000 in the UK, but a price closer to £30,000 is more likely.

This is, of course, just a starting price. Many customers will pay much more – the car is certain to come with different, more powerful battery packs, pushing the price up, and Tesla's Autopilot software with all the trimmings could be one expensive option to plump for.

Production and release

Deliveries beginning late 2017 is as specific as Tesla has been, so those putting down deposits now will be waiting over a year to take delivery of their cars.

However, many could be left waiting until 2018 and beyond for their Model 3s if the same manufacturing niggles which have beset previous Tesla launches creep into the Model 3 production line.

This is one of the biggest questions looming over the company ahead of the car's official launch and a favourite with sceptics – can Tesla actually deliver its first mass production car on time? Given the large pre-order figures, many will have their fingers crossed.

Now, almost two months on from the reveal, Tesla has given us more information regarding the production schedule and when prospective owners can expect to receive their cars.

In response to the large number of pre-orders, the company plans to dramatically increase the number of cars it can turn around in a year, upping manufacturing totals to 500,000 units across all Tesla models by 2018, two years ahead of its original 2020 deadline for this.

The company reckons it can build between 100,000-200,000 Model 3s in 2017, but according to CNET, Musk doesn't think the car will meet its 1 July 2017 production deadline, citing supply chain issues which could arise.

The chief executive recently took to Twitter, too, to hint that many could be waiting beyond 2018 for their cars and that pre-orders will soon spill over into 2019 deliveries.

Tesla recently re-introduced a 60kWh version of its Model S saloon, priced from £53,400, with a 60kWh battery pack promising a range of 248 miles on the New European Driving Cycle, 0-62mph in 5.5secs and a 130mph top speed.

The company is keen to sell the new-look Model S as an alternative to holding on until 2017 for a Model 3. Electrek says dealerships are trying to tempt deposit-holders into plucking for Tesla's more expensive option, tapping into the new customer base and possibly alleviating some of the pressure of the Model 3's long waiting list.