There are a lot of rumors and guesses as to what the Tesla Model 3 will actually be when it’s finally delivered. This is a list of sourced information we know as of January 2017 – it does not necessarily mean it’s all 100% true but it’s not just stuff I’ve made up.
See my video at https://youtu.be/Bm6cj7yLK0c for commentary on each of these items – for the most part this blog post is simply the source details for things in the video.
And if you just want to sweet eye candy – pictures and videos then checkout this video and get ready to drool
https://youtu.be/olPfLwdm7tU
PRODUCTION INFO
Production begins in mid-2017 https://www.tesla.com/model3
Deliveries begin in late 2017 starting on the West Coast, moving East with priority given to Tesla employees and current Tesla owners https://www.tesla.com/model3 – in early 2017 Tesla changed this to read mid-2018 for orders placed now. So unless you reserved very early (starting March 31, 2016) you will not get your Tesla Model 3 in 2017.
As of Summer 2016 reports indicated enough parts had been ordered for approximately 300 prototype Model 3 https://electrek.co/2016/08/01/tesla-model-3-parts-fleet-300-prototypes/ I’m not sure what this means or how knowing this helps us understand when we will get our Model 3’s but it does seem to show aggressive efforts by Tesla
As of Oct ’16 Elon said 12 months of orders were sold out https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/788493472286121984
A few other things that have been said, and previously had a source but the YouTube account that we could attribute these to has been removed so take them with a grain of salt (I don’t want rumors but nothing is fact until it happens) so I present these with this caveat: Highly optioned Model 3’s will have delivery priority, Elon has said the Model 3 will not be late like the Model X.
UPDATE – On February 8th, 2017 news came out the Tesla would begin test production runs of the Model 3!!!
https://electrek.co/2017/02/09/tesla-model-3-pre-production/
COST
The base price is well know and Elon/Tesla have stuck to this number for months: $35,000 https://www.tesla.com/model3
In the video of the announcement Elon says nicely equipped will be around $42,000. Speculation in this area has run wild, as high as $100k – which is possible I suppose but most common desirable configurations will be under $50k (okay – this is opinion but I’ve done a lot of research on this stuff) but certainly with every single possible option and the biggest battery packs will be more than that.
A big reason I think that options won’t cause final price to go too high is Elon as said so, in addition to his $42,000 quote there is this https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716747844175142912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
All of this pricing info is BEFORE the (currently $7,500) federal tax credit which is it’s own point of confusion – see below. Plus any local tax credits you will be eligible for: https://www.tesla.com/support/incentives
FEDERAL ELECTRIC CAR TAX CREDIT
This confuses a lot of people. Here is the government page on the tax credit https://www.irs.gov/businesses/plug-in-electric-vehicle-credit-irc-30-and-irc-30d
I think this is a simple explanation:
After 200,000 cars in the United States have been delivered by Tesla, the tax credit for Tesla’s goes into phase out mode.
First, it does NOT expire immediately upon the 200,000 delivery. That starts the phase out period which is generous. Here’s how it works:
Starting the 1st day of the SECOND calendar quarter the clock starts ticking. Then for the next 2 quarters the credit is $3,750 then for 2 more quarters it is $1,875. During this time there is no limit to the number of people getting this credit. So the full $7,500 tax credit will last AT LEAST 1 quarter (3 months) after Tesla number 200k is delivered and it could be 1 day short of of 2 full quarters (nearly 6 months) if Tesla number 200,000 is delivered the 1st day of a quarter. Tesla is well aware of this and has said they will work to help as many Tesla buyers as possible by planning deliveries carefully as 200,000 approaches (looking for source(s) on this to add to this post).
Furthermore – a very important thing to keep in mind is that this is a tax credit. It cannot get you a refund, it will only offset what you owe. So if you owe $10,000 in taxes on your tax return this credit will bring that down to $2,500. If you owe $2,500 on your tax return then you owe $0 thanks to this credit – it does not mean a $5,000 refund in that scenario so if you can you need plan carefully to take full advantage of this credit.
THE TESLA MODEL 3 ITSELF
On to the car itself…..finally….
We learn a lot in the launch video https://www.tesla.com/model3
The following info all comes from the video:
4 doors – some may quibble over hatchback v trunk meaning 5 doors but to this point Tesla has said it’s a trunk and that doesn’t seem to be changing.
Seating for 5 adults – comfortably. Comfortably is of course subject and adults come in many sizes.
At least 215 miles of range
0-60 in under 6 seconds!
Will be supercharger compatible
Designed to achieve 5 star safety ratings in all categories
Autopilot hardware will be standard – this will be version 2.0 which is capable of eventually reaching full autonomous driving
More about the car itself not necessarily in the launch video:
Front trunk – aka Frunk – with no engine, more storage space in the front https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr2FaDh-Hlg&feature=youtu.be&t=417
15″ touchscreen – landscape orientation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr2FaDh-Hlg&feature=youtu.be&t=131
Motor Trend has estimate dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 113.0 in. [287cm]
- L x W x H: 184.1 x 74.2 x 56.5 in. [467.6 x 188.5 x 143.5 cm]
- Curb weight: 4,200-4,350 lbs. [1,905-1,973 kg]
All from a great article on the Tesla Model 3 http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-photos-analysis/
RWD Standard https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716745282394976257
We know very little about the final interior – many sources indicate the protypes at the launch had a very unfinished driver UI, but Elon says it will feel “like a spaceship” https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716729420078133248?lang=en
Some eye candy photos:
http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/1/11342104/tesla-model-3-announcement-photos
http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-behind-the-scenes/
http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-3-photos-analysis/
http://bgr.com/2016/04/22/tesla-model-3-photos/
https://electrek.co/2017/02/03/tesla-model-3-gallery/
OPTIONS
Not a ton of info on options but many seem to agree (logically so) they will be similar in offering to current Tesla’s but at a lower price (as sourced above)
AWD – dual motors give all-wheel drive, although Elon does say RWD handles well in snow/ice https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716745282394976257
There will be performance models and of course ludicrous mode https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/726210827699806208
All glass roof – this is really cool looking! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr2FaDh-Hlg&feature=youtu.be&t=195 and https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/794965733151117313 which will be UV protected.
There has been some discussion and educated speculation that the glass roof will actually be standard and steel roof/sunroof option would be the optional upgrade.
Tow hitch https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716708661024804866
Solar roof – this is a very intriguing possibility that could take on many different forms but the possibility of leaving your car parked in the sun all day long to charge sounds amazing. Elon Tweeting https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/794579089168310272 and https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/794575003446480896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
So there you have it – a lot (not all probably) we “know” about the upcoming Tesla Model 3.
WHEN DO WE LEARN MORE
Tesla has said that part 2 of the unveil is coming. I’ve heard Q1 of 2017 but Q2 seems more likely at this point. Hopefully that will gives us much more info in regard to options, models, pricing for upgraded models, maybe even some timeline info for deliveries but only time will tell.
We may learn more on the next (and future) earnings calls http://ir.tesla.com/
And of course Elon loves to Tweet https://twitter.com/elonmusk
Please ask any questions you have in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer. And of course if you have info WITH A SOURCE please add in the comments.