Model 3... $60K when you get it with all the promises, promises!

Yes, the Tesla Model 3 might be approaching expensive..just like...what else...wait for it...a full-boat vacation to Disney World!

I look at the interior design and the dashboard with only the center screen and I get a distinct flashback to one of my favorite park rides of all time "Test Track Presented by Chevrolet" at Walt Disney Worlds Epcot theme park.

See here in POV ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZZPo_JUESk

If Tesla slapped some warning stickers on the right and left sides of the center touchscreen, the interior would be a dead ringer for the "Test Track" by Chevy cars. Also - the "Test Track" cars have speakers - is a stereo optional on the Model 3 to keep the cost down? I've not seen any speakers inside of the Model 3 per the photos here.

Its uncanny! Maybe the inspiration for the Model 3 came from Elon's trip to Disney Orlando with his kids?

If the Model 3 is 1/2 as good as Disney's "Test Track" - they will have a success on their hands, for sure! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/test-track/

"Upgraded interior with premium materials". Since when is vinyl a premium material? You can't even get real leather.

They recently removed Leather options on all future production cars (including S, X and 3) and replace it with "Vegan" option, which is synthetic leather or "vinyl" if you insist.

Screw vegans. I mean that figuratively not literally. I mean who would screw a vegan given how incessantly they whine? Cars of any kind should be immoral for their little moonbat hearts. The only good thing about vegans is that they will die in their 40s due to all the soy they eat. Instant karma. #LaughingAtThemNotWithThem

The Vinyl seats are way more comfortable than the 1st gen seats in my car and they last much longer. If you sit in the Model S/X seats and nobody told you they were not leather, you would never know.

The steering wheel is still leather, but that will likely change in the future.

The sweat running down your back on a humid day will tell you its vinyl. Real leather breathes, vinyl doesn't. We're talking about the buttery smooth furniture upholstery grade used by the Brits and Americans, not the backside of a chamois that shows up in some Euro machines. You can feel the difference right away.

Of course when you tick every box it will be $60k, and still be a great value for what you get. The $35k version is still a great car that is fast, safe, has tons of range, and can be upgraded in the future to a self-driving vehicle.

For the driving enthusiasts, I'd to add a few more data points for the base Model 3:

- Rear Wheel Drive
- (Single) Motor with over 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque (available at rest), estimates based on published 0-60 time, top speed and Model S specs (BMW 330i: 248 hp, 258 lb-ft)
- Wheelbase: 113.2" (BMW 330: 110.6")
- Track Width: 62.2" F/R (BMW 330: 60.8"/62.3" F/R)
- Curb Weight: 3549 lbs
- Weight distribution: 47%/53% F/R (BMW 330i MT 49.7%/50.3%, AT 50.1%/49.9%)

* Note on weight distribution: the Model 3 with the heavy battery in the middle would have lower rotational inertia than the BMW with similar weight distribution (because of the masses are concentrated toward the ends of the car rather than in the middle) - this would end up with a more balanced car in the curve at speed (confirmed by Motor Trend in their Model 3 first drive on Mulholland Drive in LA).

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/

I can't wait for a test drive to find out for myself how good the Model 3 will drive. So far, all "first drive" reviews indicate it's a very good driver.

Correction: (because on the BMW, the masses are concentrated toward the ends of the car rather than in the middle as in the Model 3 due to the battery)

Yup, the Model 3 is totally gonna kill the M3 and the M4. BMW will be out of business any day now.

On the handling characteristics, I would compare the Model 3 with the 718 Cayman/Boxster as they have similar weight distribution and probably similar rotational inertial. The Porsches would win this comparison due to much lower weight and their inherent sports car DNA, but that would give the Model 3 credentials in term of its handling.

@MD: "the Model 3 is totally gonna kill the M3 and the M4" - that will happen next year with the Performance version of the TM3 - and that's what I am going to get for my new ride (I have 2 reservations, one for the wife's commute which will probably be a base TM3 and one for my daily driver that I can wait until next year for the performance version).

Wait a minute @HenryN, aren't you a bit young to be married. Shouldn't you finish high school first and get past self-inducing happy moments from the posters in your bedroom of Elon in speedos? :) #teasing

What would lead you to believe that the Model 3 will handle anywhere near as well as a Boxster or a Cayman? I assume you were being facetious.

@MD: "What would lead you to believe that the Model 3 will handle anywhere near as well as a Boxster or a Cayman? I assume you were being facetious."

My comment was "The Porsches would win this comparison ..., but that would give the Model 3 credentials in term of its handling." - I hope the Model 3 would hold its own.

And I am not "being facetious". My observation is based on a number of things:

- I have driven countless versions of Cayman and Boxster over the years (base, S and GTS), know very well their capabilities. I also have a Turbo S with 50K miles of hard driving, so I know what to expect from a Porsche.
- I have driven the Model S P90D in Ludicrous mode, and did a back-to-back comparison with the Turbo S
- I have read first drive reviews of the Model 3 from credible sources, all praising how well it drives
- I used spec numbers to provide an educated guess on how it would behave
- The base Model 3 could never challenge a Cayman GTS, but it could get close to the base 718.

I also emphasized that I wanted to drive the Model 3 to find out for myself how good it handles. Nothing facetious about all the above.

@HenryN In that case you're a dumb ass. Tesla Model 3 + Cayman + Willow Springs = crying with laughter at how bad the Model 3 is for handling. Bold prediction.

Compare it to a 4 cylinder Camry for handling and it MIGHT be in the ballpark.

Sorry HenryN but you are comparing Apples to Oranges when you talk about BMW and A Tesla3.

A Tesla3 Is a high priced entry level electric car - at a size that competes with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla - as well as the Chevy Bolt and future Nissan Leaf. It is not a premium car by any means - its barebones interior would have a hard time competing with a Yugo - it has no leather -and required a high priced "Package" just to get power seats in it. It was also designed to sell in numbers that preclude it from being a premium car as well. Note - the Bolt actually has move interior room than both the Model 3 and the Model S as well. (THe S - is a luxury car). Comparisons to TRUE premium and even things like the Genesis brand are simply not appropriate because it ISN't one.

Personally - I believe that the market for EVs is not that big YET (In the US) - maybe is already saturated for those who would buy it because it is GREEN - (Note - sales of Hybrids and EVS have been dropping in the USA) - and it will not actually produce a market for those who put a deposit in to get a car for quick resale at a higher price (WHy buy a Model 3 at a high price when you could get a Model S?) WHat I DO see is that Musk bet the farm on this car selling in the Hundreds of thousands of cars per year - more than any other car does currently - and I don't believe THAT market will be there. And I also believe that Tesla took too long to get to market - will not actually have these cars available for others for years - and that will force buyers to other brands. In addition - you can bet that the Bolt and Leaf will be priced THOUSANDS less - maybe TENS of thousands less.

Back to article -

The author said "But those cars [Tesla's Roadster, the Model S, and Model X SUV] were just a means to an end—an end that came Friday evening at Tesla's Fremont, Calif."

Maybe the author is still using the 2006 Master Plan by Musk:
1. Create a low volume car, which would necessarily be expensive (Roadster)
2. Use that money to develop a medium volume car at a lower price (Model S, X)
3. Use that money to create an affordable, high volume car (Model 3)
And...
4. Provide solar power. No kidding, this has literally been on our website for 10 years.

The 2016 Master Plan II says:
1. Create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage
2. Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments
3. Develop a self-driving capability that is 10X safer than manual via massive fleet learning
4. Enable your car to make money for you when you aren't using it

The Model 3 is only an early part of Step 2 in the new plan. There are more to come.

With a successful roll out of the Model 3, it could be said that the Model 3 is the beginning of an end for the ICE cars.

I don't know why people are surprised that there is a list of options, it's a long-standing practice in the car industry, options = profit. This is a product that is in high demand, it's not like a Huyandai Genesis, so they are going to take advantage of that because corporation.

But the look of that Tesla, it´s awfull.

Absolute hate that interior.

$35k is not a mainstream price. $20k is, and barely, and way too often requires financing. Can you say 2008?
And *this* $35k car is kind of under-equipped.
As for me, I'm a Musk-contrarian. The majority lap up every pronouncement, I see someone who never managed a profitable business in life. You young folk may not remember, but there was a time when businesses were run to make money -- say, sell cars at a profit. Now it's more like becoming a financial operation with financial scams -- like GM going up to 2008. Which worked out well for them.
Back to Elon: His fortune has come from: A huge IPO; government handouts and subsidies to buyers; and financial scamming. How does the aware know that Elon's Being? His mouth is open.
The Silicon Valley thing is to BS as well as Steve Jobs did. The problem is that Apple produced; Jobs' boasts goy backed up. At the other extreme, you get Uber: A psychopath of a non-viable business.
In Elon's defense: His mom is hot.

Once again I am shocked that BobM has not started his own car co., since he obviously knows exactly how to run one and would clearly crush Tesla in a head to head competition.

I've cancelled my order!

I was smart enough NOT to order one in the first place.

Tesla's true day of reckoning will be when Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer their own lineup of all-electric vehicles within the next 1-3 years. The German brands will bring with them sales volume that is more than 23x of what Tesla sells in one year. They will have a robust dealership network across the world, notably in China where the thirst for luxury autos is soaring. Furthermore, with Audi's economies of scale from being a part of Vollkswagen Auto Group, the brand will be able to source electric components for a fraction of the cost that Tesla can since Porsche, Bentley etc. will eventually join the all-electric vehicle party meaning VAG will buy components in huge volumes.

First mover advantage can only help a brand to a point until it has to deal with actual economic and financial realities such as competitor's sales volume, dealership scale and cost of production.

"I've owned my own business for 35+ years"

Congratulations. So does the guy who cuts my grass. And he is not qualified to run an automobile company either. Does a great job on the lawn though.