Tesla Model 3: Tesla’s ‘baby’ Model S Revealed

The Tesla Model 3 – Tesla’s compact executive model – has been revealed in California boasting a range of more than 200 miles and 0-62mph in 6 seconds.

Tesla has been making niche cars since it first burst on to the scene with electric cars with astonishing range and big performance, but it now has to prove it can make ‘affordable’ electric cars and this – the new Tesla Model 3 – is the car Tesla hope will be their big breakthrough.

Revealed at a special event in California last night (31 March 2016), the Tesla Model 3 won’t be going on sale until the end of 2017 – and could change a bit before that – but it looks like Tesla are off to a flyer with, it’s said, more than 100,000 orders for the Model 3 already received.

Tesla’s starting price is $35,000 (around £25k at today’s money) for which buyers will get, even in its basic form, an electric car with a range of more than 200 miles and performance of 0-62mph in just six seconds.

The styling is similar to the Model S, but the bonnet is shorter and the cabin pushed forward – creating a bigger cabin with lots of room in the back – with a big glass roof, autopilot and a big dash-mounted tablet infotainment screen similar to the Model S.

Tesla say of the Model 3:

Model 3 combines real world range, performance, safety and spaciousness into a premium sedan that only Tesla can build. Our most affordable car yet, Model 3 achieves 215 miles of range per charge while starting at only $35,000 before incentives. With a five star safety rating, Model 3 will also be the safest car in its class.

If Elon Musk can deliver the Model 3 on time – and at the prices quoted – he could be on to a winner, and Tesla are gearing up for big demand with their new Gigafactory to produce more batteries a year than every other battery maker combined.

Watch this space.