Tesla has finally
announced the base US$ 35,000 version of the Model 3, which you may push further
down if you happen to have any incentives available in your State. For example, in Massachusetts,
Tesla’s site claims that you could be eligible for an extra US$ 3,750 Federal Tax
Credits and US$ 2,500 Massachusetts EV rebate for a total of US$ 6,250. As usual, it
also states that you’ll save US$ 4,300 in gas, but we won’t get into that silly
advertising debate.
The Standard Range version of the Tesla Model 3
offers a shorter driving range compared to its more expensive siblings, at 220
miles, and features a new, poorer spec for the interior; the seats are now
cloth, the steering and seats are manually adjusted, the navigation has lost
some features and the Bluetooth audio system has been downgraded.
However, the cheaper Tesla Model 3 is still capable
of doing the 0-97 km/h run in 5.6 seconds and hit 209 km/h flat out,
putting it in a different performance league compared to let’s say a long-range
Nissan Leaf.
In addition, Tesla is launching another new version
in the Model 3 lineup, called the Standard Range Plus, with 386 km of range,
12-way adjustable heated front seats, an upgraded audio, LED fog lamps and
more. Tesla says that the Standard Range Plus, which is priced at US$ 37,000, can
accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reach 225 km/h flat out.
Tesla has managed to bring the US$ 35k Model 3 into the
market sooner than originally expected, as it will shift its sales worldwide to
online only, enabling them to lower all of their prices by around 6 percent on
average across its lineup.
A range of new over-the-air updates will be released
soon for both new and existing customers, adding an average of around 5% more
peak power to all Model 3 vehicles. The upgrades will also increase the range
of the Long Range RWD version to 523 km, as well as the top speed of the
Model 3 Performance to 260 km/h. The US$ 35,000 version of the Tesla Model 3 is available now on the
company’s website, with first deliveries expected to start as early as this
month.