Tesla's first mass produced electric car is here

The specifications are encouraging as advances in battery technology are being pushed along by the power of commerce - a far mightier engine than the internal combustion one it will replace. The means to charge cars, represents not a problem but a huge opportunity glistening with money and power.

Tesla has half a million orders to fulfil, which is nearly six times its 2016 production and the company has said by the end of 2018, it will be able to produce 500,000 cars per annum.

It is Tesla’s most affordable vehicle yet and deliveries to the first owners began last week. Reservations for Model 3 first opened on March 31, 2016 and remain available today. If you’re genuinely interested we would recommend that you reserve your Model 3 because you could be waiting until early 2019 when it is expected to land here in Australia.

What does it cost?

Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed but Tesla’s CEO, Musk has said there’ll be no extra on top of US pricing. So one would think it would come in under $50,000 inclusive of on-road costs for the base model.

Model 3 comes in two battery types: standard and extended range:

Standard battery

• Price: $US35,000
• Range: 220 miles (EPA estimated) 
• Supercharging rate: 130 miles in 30 minutes 
• Zero to 60 mph time: 5.6 seconds 

Long range battery 

• Price: $US44,000 
• Range: 310 miles 
• Supercharging rate: 170 miles in 30 minutes (Same as Tesla's Model S) 
• Zero to 60 mph time: 5.1 seconds 

Vehicle specifications

Dimensions and weight
• Length: 184.8”
• Width: 72.8” (76.1” with mirrors folded)
• Height: 56.8”
• Wheelbase: 113.2”
• Track (wheel center): 62.2” front and rear
• Ground clearance: 5.5”
• Head room, standard: 39.6” front row, 37.7” second row
• Head room, glass roof: 40.3” front row, 37.7” second row
• Leg room: 42.7” front row, 35.2” second row
• Shoulder room: 56.3” front row, 54.0” second row
• Hip room: 53.4” front row, 52.4” second row
• Seating capacity: 5 adults
• Luggage capacity: 15 cubic feet
• Curb weight:
3549 lbs. (Model 3)
3814 lbs. (Model 3 Long Range)
• Weight distribution:
47% front, 53% rear (Model 3)
48% front, 52% rear (Model 3 Long Range)

Body
• Hybrid steel/aluminum body
• Drag coefficient of 0.23

Chassis
• Double wishbone, virtual steer axis front suspension with coil over twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
• Independent multi-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
• Variable ratio, speed sensitive electronic power steering
• Electromechanically boosted four wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution
• 18” Aero or 19” Sport wheels with all-season tires

Convenience