Tesla Plans To Take Down BMW 3-Series With New Model 3 - Do They Even Have A Chance?

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has exclusively revealed to Auto Express plans for a new electric BMW 3 Series rival, including its name – Tesla Model 3.

There were rumours that a new smaller Tesla Gen III model was to be called Model E, but in one of his most candid interviews yet, Musk revealed why he had to have a rethink on the name.

“We had the model S for sedan and X for crossover SUV, then a friend asked what we were going to call the third car,” Musk told us. “So I said we had the model S and X, we might as well have the E.

MattDarringer - 7/16/2014 9:48:50 AM

+2 Boost

Yawn

222max - 7/16/2014 10:06:32 AM

+8 Boost

Well, nobody said anything about taking down the 3 series. They are simply offering a Tesla branded competitor. It could be a great car. The Model S already holds its own against comparable Mercedes and BMWs.

vdiv - 7/16/2014 2:42:28 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe not the 3-series, but the clock on the i3 is ticking to get its specs in order. It will be fascinating to watch. :)

skytop - 7/16/2014 10:13:43 AM

+1 Boost

Another wannabe pretender to the 3 series crown.
And how large a mortgage with be needed to purchase such a Muskmobile?

MattDarringer - 7/16/2014 10:57:58 AM

+5 Boost

The real question is when will this confidence scheme implode. I like how people are quick to give Tesla the same clout as Mercedes when Tesla's experience designing cars is NIL and there is no baseline for the long term quality.

jcarys - 7/16/2014 11:40:56 AM

+1 Boost

Tesla is saying $35K, but considering how the Model S crept up, $40K is more realistic. Still, it's in BMW/Mercedes/Audi territory price-wise.

Baby - 7/18/2014 12:01:52 AM

+1 Boost

Matt, you do know that Toyota owns part of Tesla right? When Toyota bought in to Tesla is when they started having great success. With backing like that I wouldn't worry about them...

TheSteve - 7/16/2014 11:00:17 AM

+1 Boost

Isn't everyone and their uncle going to take down the 3-series. Or the 5? Many make that claim. So far, BMW is doing just fine, and they remain the benchmark for their class. And by the way, I'm more of an Audi A5 guy, but I still tip my hat respectfully to someone who has a winning formula. It's tough to beat!

poot66 - 7/16/2014 1:31:22 PM

+2 Boost

BMW's 5 isn't the benchmark in mid class that belongs to to Mercedes E. And good one Precious that is kinda true.

Baby - 7/18/2014 12:05:37 AM

+1 Boost

Poot you're wrong... I am not sure where you have been lately but neither brand you mentioned is class leader...

Terry989 - 7/16/2014 11:30:04 AM

+4 Boost

Rather Tesla is successful or not, it is a nice looking, clean design that I hope makes it to the streets.

carsnyc - 7/16/2014 2:01:03 PM

+2 Boost

BMW's 5 the benchmark...LOL!
This while they are loosing it with the 3 to Audi's A4

leej - 7/16/2014 4:51:34 PM

+4 Boost

Well...the usual 009 license with misleading headlines.

This is beautiful. Until people get over range anxiety, and a better infrastructure for charging/battery swap out, there won't be much of an impact on existing sales of any vehicles. From a design perspective alone though, this makes a 3 series look so last century.

bnilhome - 7/17/2014 9:33:27 PM

+1 Boost

Spot on leej. The BMW fanboy agents on here are starting to get a bit worried. The Model S has quickly taken the luxury market by storm, something BMW and Mercedes could not have seen just a few years ago. They can't build the Model S' fast enough to keep up with demand, and those BMW/Mercedes faithful just can't stand that an American company is grabbing such headlines across the globe.