Tesla's first mass produced electric car is here

If you haven’t already heard, the UK government has announced a ban on sales of petrol and diesel cars from 2040. The automotive world is changing, cars are becoming quicker, more efficient, and technologically more advanced than they’ve ever been.

It feels like it was only yesterday when Tesla's Elon Musk revealed his idea for the creation of the Model 3 and now it is here. Over the weekend, Musk’s vision for a mass market, affordable electric vehicle was revealed in its final form at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California.

Among the many surprising details, it was announced that the Model 3 with a “long range battery” will travel as far as 498.9 kilometres on one charge. And with this same battery it’ll also accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in as little as 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 225 km/h. All this is quite remarkable because as it stands, there is only one other electric car in the world that has broken the 300-mile range barrier (482.8 km) and that’s the most expensive version of Tesla’s Model S.

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 distribution18” Aero or 19” Sport wheels with all-season tires

Interior

• 15” touchscreen display
• Dual zone climate control system
• FM/Internet streaming radio
• Textile seating
• Front center console with open storage and two USB ports

Convenience

• Onboard maps and navigation
• Wi-Fi and LTE internet connectivity
• Keyless entry and remote climate control using the Tesla app
• Voice activated controls 
• Bluetooth hands-free calling and media streaming
• 60/40 split folding rear seat to maximize cargo options
• Back-up camera
• Auto dimming rear-view mirror
• One-touch power windows throughout
• Power-adjustable side mirrors
• 12-volt power outlet

Safety

• Full LED exterior lighting
• Eight cameras, forward radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors enabling active safety technologies including collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking
• Six front row and two side curtain airbags
• Three-point safety belts with belt-reminders for driver and four passengers
• Two LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in second row
• Electronic stability and traction control
• Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic parking brake
• Child safety locks
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Tire pressure monitoring system