Official Tesla Model 3 thread

[edatoakrun]

Both likely, IMO:

Expecting a car that will live up to Tesla Motors Inc. upscale image? The Model 3 is likely to deliver, but it may not be a game changer for the electric-car maker just yet.

That’s according to Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, a known Tesla TSLA, -0.24% bull who has cooled somewhat on the company recently.

The car could struggle with competition, roll off the factory floor later than expected, and cost on average way more than $35,000, Jonas said in a note Tuesday...

Tesla is likely to be late again in delivering the Model 3, said Jonas, who is expecting a late 2018 production date rather than the official late 2017. And an average configuration for the Model 3 could cost more than $60,000, at least initially, he said...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-model-3-will-live-up-to-teslas-upscale-reputation-but-that-may-not-be-enough-2016-03-29

 

[pksd1]

Could this be a leaked photo of Model 3 ??

https://artofgears.com/2016/03/31/tesla-model-3-photo-leaked-on-instagram/

 

[keydiver]

The line today at the West Palm Beach service center was encouraging. I got there at 9:15 AM, and was about the 100th person in line, with at least 50-60 more people lining up before 10 AM. I've seen pictures of 500-700 people at some Tesla service centers! Its going to be very interesting to see how they handle 100,000 reservations. :shock:

 

[sparky]

...Its going to be very interesting to see how they handle 100,000 reservations. :shock:

Also kind of interested in what they decide to do with the roughly $100M they'll be sitting on after the ordering frenzy. The $1k doesn't go into escrow. If you're starting down the barrel of a huge number of deliveries in 2 years do you spend some of that on GigaFactory, robots, or Superchargers?

 

[TomT]

Arrived at the Tesla store at 9am and was gone by 11 (they opened at 10)... Placed a deposit for myself and two of my friends... The process was very smooth. I was number 42 in line...

 

[klaus]

The Model 3 has no nose cone!

 

[scottf200]

From Model 3 reveal. All "models" even base will come with supercharging. It's about "freedom". 215 epa minimum miles. 0-60 under 6 sec.

As well all will have autopilot hardware and autopilot safety features are enabled even on base model.

Image: http://i.imgur.com/Cmv4OcN.png

Image: http://i.imgur.com/GYYXQMI.png

 

[scottf200]

Various pictures in this link:
http://www.cnet.com/roadshow/pictures/tesla-model-3-unveiled-deliveries-begin-late-2017-pictures/

 

[LeftieBiker]

Looks a bit like a Dodge Neon crossed with the Neon's bigger sibling from the '90s, whose name escapes me.

<dodges a hail of thrown shoes>

But not in a bad way. The... Intrepid? wasn't a bad car, and the Neon looked way better than it performed, or survived.

 

[scottf200]

 

[lorenfb]

Possible Specs:

Total Weight - 3800 lbs
Battery Weight - 580 lbs
Battery Capacity - 60 kWh
Range - 215 miles

Others may have better numbers.

 

[cwerdna]

Re: 115K+ reservations, insane! Cult of Elon is much stronger than I thought. I thought some folks at "TMC" were nuts to predict 100K in the first 24 hours.

Been busy w/work but after seeing some pics earlier today + a video at Santana Row (upscale mall in San Jose, CA), I was just amazed. Gotta hand it to Elon and Tesla's hype and marketing machine. They channeled Apple, for sure.

I'd imagine that execs and many employees at virtually all other automakers that have an EV program are shaking their head in disbelief at the lines and the above.

https://twitter.com/ElectrekCo/status/715752601048981505 has a link to https://www.periscope.tv/w/1dRKZyRkpgNxB of a test ride w/chatter w/the Tesla rep driver.

It'll be interesting to see if this will cause the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect, causing Model S sales to tank.

 

[Rebel44]

150K preorders already

http://bestthenews.com/article/tesla-model-3-preorders-surge-past-150000-mark-fri-04012016-0611.html

 

[garsh]

The... Intrepid? wasn't a bad car

I loved the look of the Intrepid. I had mine for 13 years before I traded it in on the Leaf.

 

[lpickup]

From Model 3 reveal. All "models" even base will come with supercharging. It's about "freedom". 215 epa minimum miles. 0-60 under 6 sec.

The graphic said "Supercharging Capability". Elon's words were that all models will come with supercharging. Not clear whether that implies that the supercharging will be "free" or "paid".

To me, either way is fine. I don't necessarily like paying for a resource that I may rarely use, so a pay as you go scheme would be fine with me. Plus I really think that drivers need to be incentivized to only use supercharging when they actually need it, otherwise there could be queues once all these Model 3's hit the road. On the other hand, if the price of supercharging is built into the $35K price tag, then it's a good deal as well, and if Elon can make good on his promise to double the # of superchargers by YE17 (and I have no reason to think he wouldn't), then that addresses the capacity issue (for awhile!)

 

[lpickup]

It'll be interesting to see if this will cause the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect, causing Model S sales to tank.

You know it will, but not for the usual reason.

The Model 3 is not a direct replacement to the Model S, so it probably won't consume sales of buyers that are truly in the market for a Model S class luxury sedan.

However, I think a lot of Model S buyers (or potential buyers) were buying WAY above their normal vehicle expenditures. Those buyers (and in terms of this discussion, those future buyers) will certainly wait for the Model 3. So I don't expect the pace of Model S sales to continue at the same rate it has in the past.

 

[redLEAF]

Having just sat in a Model S yesterday, I found this interesting on the Model 3's approach to the instrumentation, mapping, etc. -- 15" center stack and although this photo doesn't show it; everything is on this center screen; I suppose it might simplify left and right hand drive configurations as well (a few auto makers have taken this approach; some old GM Saturn models and my son's now aging Scion Xa) not everyone likes these but the clarity, etc. is quite good. It's also high enough to give it a glance ... will be interesting if they also offer a 'heads up' speed, etc. display on the windshield to supplement this.

 

[garsh]

However, I think a lot of Model S buyers (or potential buyers) were buying WAY above their normal vehicle expenditures.

Yep. Heck, even the Leaf was higher than my usual vehicle expenditure. But I want this technology enough (first, electric propulsion - next, autopilot & supercharging) that I'm willing to buy new vehicles and pay more for the privilege.

 

[GregH]

Elon himself had to chuckle when he said it would be available end of 2017.. No, honest guys..
Will this hype still be as strong a YEAR after the Bolt debuts? And we still don't know what Nissan has up its sleeve.

 

[lpickup]

Having just sat in a Model S yesterday, I found this interesting on the Model 3's approach to the instrumentation, mapping, etc. -- 15" center stack and although this photo doesn't show it; everything is on this center screen; I suppose it might simplify left and right hand drive configurations as well (a few auto makers have taken this approach; some old GM Saturn models and my son's now aging Scion Xa) not everyone likes these but the clarity, etc. is quite good. It's also high enough to give it a glance ... will be interesting if they also offer a 'heads up' speed, etc. display on the windshield to supplement this.

I'm not sure I believe the console layout shown last night will survive the development process that will take place over the next 1.5+ years. The interior was clearly mocked up in the photos I saw, so I expect a more "integrated" look and feel in the final product, along with a more traditional driver display. But hey, I could be wrong.