Tesla Model 3 Press Released Today

tonyjzx on 01/04/2016 - 19:42

This is just a general discussion thread about this new model. It is allegedly $35-50k USD so expect double that in AUD.

It is due to be for sale in the US around Xmas next year, it sort of begs the question why they 'soft released' it today, more than 18 months before they even go on sale. I suppose they have already got 150,000 deposits at $1,000 each so thats a fair bit of play money for Tesla.

https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=…

Here's some details, basically its a smallish Mercedes C class sized sedan, the most important detail is that it has something like ~330km range. Speed and acceleration is more than anyone needs, ie. 0-100km/h in 5 secs.

Today I saw two Tesla Model S cars in Sydney so I guess that sometime in 2018/19 these will be all over the place. If I had a choice between a $60k conventional Mercedes C or Audi A4 or BMW 3 series, I'd probably take a Tesla and I dislike electric slash hybrid cars as a rule.

Automotive Tesla Inc

Comments

  • dtpearson on 01/04/2016 - 21:01

    I was lucky enough to have a drive of a Model S a few weeks back. That was enough for me to stump for the $1500 deposit on a model 3. I have a new GolfR so i am used to a fast car (3.7 0-100 with its stage1 tune) and the S was just SO SMOOTH and SO FAST.

    You just don't realise how much noise and vibration comes from having a IC engine, also how jerky even the best DSG gearbox is and how slow off the mark as the IC engine revs up to power. In an electric car even with the weight, they just leap off the line (peak torque from 0 RPM)

    I defy ANYONE to have a drive in a Tesla and not think they are the way of the future.

  • cDNA on 01/04/2016 - 21:20
    -2

    Hate Teslas. Great technology and everything, but I don't like not being able to feel the wheels on the road. The engine is too quiet.

    • tonyjzx on 01/04/2016 - 23:03

      I would normally agree with you. But it depends on the task at hand. I have to drive regional to Newcastle and Wollongong and beyond. I would love to drive a V8 manual car for these kinds of things. In fact I do.

      However if I'm in Sydney in traffic then why would I care how 'nice' the car drives? I just want a quiet car that carries a lot of crap and uses no petrol.

      I see that the Nissan ENV-200 is available overseas. I would love one of these. Its a van, its electric. Its 160km range. Its all I need for city use.

      • cDNA on 01/04/2016 - 23:16

        It's also the fact that I don't have $80,000-$150,000 to blow on a car.

  • thepigs on 01/04/2016 - 22:30

    well if his cars are anything like his space rockets, expect delivery in 2025.

    "…I think that within two years, you’ll be able to summon your car from across the country…" BAHAHAHA.

    Don't get me wrong though, he's an engineering genius. He could probably lay off the pipe before speaking though. Or maybe that's why we love him.

  • GameChanger on 02/04/2016 - 01:25

    Tech wise its awesome.

    Car wise- sorry but no where close to driving a petrol car.

  • scotty on 02/04/2016 - 09:07

    Wife and kids went to Hong Kong earlier this year and she said Tesla Model S is everywhere. I heard Model S is also popular in some states in US where government provides incentive to buy environmental friendly cars. They are rare in Sydney but you still see them every now and then. There's a house near my place where the garage parks both a Model S and a BMW i3.

    I would love to drive one myself however I am not sure I would want to spend that much on a car. Waiting for the rest of car industry to catch up so I can buy my $35,000 Toyota/Hyundai pure electric :)

    • tonyjzx on 02/04/2016 - 10:45

      Yep. Places like Denmark and Finland subsidise them.

      In Australia its a disincentive as petrol has tax benefits.

      I think there's a conspiracy going on with conventional cars. Toyota and whoever can easily build a $35,000 electric car that does something like 250km. They just choose not to as its not a good revenue stream 3 years down the line.

      Electric cars have much lower running costs so they want to do the $35,000 petrol Camry thing for as long as possible.

      Think about how much is spent on servicing parts and petrol over a 3yr period. You get very little of that on electric.

      • GameChanger on 02/04/2016 - 19:15

        Electric cars have a short life time.

        I tell you what, if the electrics fail in a Tesla you will in for a fortune.

        The max years I would keep a Tesla is 5 years or when the warranty ends. I suppose most Tesla buyers will upgrade in this time frame anyways so shouldn't be a problem.

        • tonyjzx on 02/04/2016 - 19:20

          Unfortuately I dont think practical experience supports your argument.

          Ironically its toyota here to the rescue. They have had hybrid cars for 20yrs now? The first Prius was in the late 1990s?

          You were supposed to see massive failure and poor resale value of Prius cars. Have you seen that?

          You may say Tesla is different to Toyota and thats a fair argument but they run similar battery chemistry.

          Also if I was lucky enough to be able to afford a Model S, why would I keep it for 5yrs? Its a $100k car. People like that dont keep them for that long.

        • GameChanger on 04/04/2016 - 15:11

          @tonyjzx: Have a read of the Tesla forums, the build quality is to say the least crap.

          Tesla target audience is different- its appealing to the average Joe that wants a luxury car at a affordable price. Think I will wait for a rival Japanese car than waste money on a Tesla that has questionable build quality. And I am sure this quality translates to the electric components.

          With the massive increase in demand, good luck keeping the quality controls/assurance at a high level.

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