AWD Tesla Model 3 May Be Launching As Early As This Spring

It appears that the dual motor all-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 will launch much earlier than expected, potentially as early as Spring 2018.

The Californian carmaker recently updated its configurator for the Model 3 and alongside listing an arrival time for the base model in early 2018. It also says the dual motor variant will land in Spring ’18. Of course, in Tesla time, that might end up meaning at the very end of this year, potentially even in early 2019…

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TheSteve - 1/23/2018 4:30:09 PM

+8 Boost

Talk about hype. Tesla is having a hard time getting Model 3s out the door, and they're already hyping the next big thing.

TomM - 1/23/2018 5:00:03 PM

+8 Boost

I note that they predicted the "spring" - based on their record - I would guess it will be a year late.

However - it ALSO points out that they are deliberately delaying production of the cheapest versions of the Model 3 again - so they can get extra money out of the buyers - My guess that the car is not profitable at the low end is only supported more by this news.

MDarringer - 1/24/2018 8:45:15 AM

+3 Boost

Martians adore price fixing.

MDarringer - 1/23/2018 8:42:30 PM

+5 Boost

So they can't build the Model 3 in volume and they are already adding a second version? If I were one of the people with a deposit I would be pissed that an AWD Model 3 just means that the Model 3 on which I have a deposit will take longer to come.

Dexter1 - 1/23/2018 11:31:13 PM

+4 Boost

What an awful interior. A refrigerator box has more appeal.

vdiv - 1/24/2018 11:48:11 AM

-2 Boost

Keep on hating. That sells lots of cars.

TheSteve - 1/26/2018 9:55:41 PM

+1 Boost

vdiv: I think we can all agree that Porsche is a niche player, who sells a modest number of vehicles each year. That's expected, as they have a highly specific, affluent, and relatively tiny target audience. They sold a record 237,778 vehicles in 2017. Tesla sold just 103,020 worldwide in the same year. That's about 40% of Porsche's units.

So when you say "[Tesla] sells lots of cars," we really to put that into perspective. By comparison, BMW Group sold over 2 million, Mercedes sold 2.3 millions, Toyota sold 10.25 million. Tesla is still a niche player, and still smaller than other successful niche players (e.g., Porsche).