Tesla Launches All New Model 3 At $35,000

The all new Tesla Model 3

It was no secret that Tesla Motors was going to launch an affordable (by their definition) electric car soon. Today, Tesla finally unveiled its Model 3, younger sibling to the hugely popular Model S and Model X. Deliveries are expected to commence in the latter half of 2017. The price tag for the Model 3 is $35,000 (Rs. 23,22,335/- at today’s exchange rate).

The new car comes with big promises from Tesla. Tesla claims that the range of the car, which looks to be decidedly smaller than its brother, the Model S, will hover around 215 miles (344 kms) on a single charge. It will hit the 0-60 mph (0-96 kph) mark in a time under 6 seconds, as claimed by Tesla.

The Model 3 will be able to seat 5 adults comfortable, with Elon Musk stressing that comfort was one of the major factors while designing this car. The Model 3 will include support for Tesla's high-speed Supercharging network. Currently, there are 613 Supercharger stations in the United States, with more than 3,628 Superchargers. Tesla aims to double the number of Superchargers to more than 7,200 by the time deliveries of the new car begin.

Similar to the Model S, the new Model 3 will have rear wheel drive and all wheel drive versions available. The 17-inch portrait touch screen that dominates the dash of the current crop of Tesla’s will be swapped for a 15-inch landscape touch screen. The autopilot capabilities will be included as standard for every Model 3.  

The design of the new car will take some getting used to, as there is no front grille. Instead, a smooth, broad plane with a small lip and a splitter at the bottom is present. While not ugly, it is definitely something new. On the roof, stretching from the windshield to the trunk is a single piece of glass. As is customary, the Model 3 will have front and rear storage spaces.

Bookings are open in the United States for those interested, by putting down a $1,000 (Rs. 66,365/-) as a reserving amount.