What is it?
We're driving one of the very first examples of the Tesla Model 3 to hit European roads. Some said it would never make it here, others that it would never live up to the hype if it did. Experience teaches that you’re either with or against the ever-controversial Elon Musk and his world-leading electric car manufacturer.
And if you’re with him, you may very well be angrily shouting things at your keyboard right now, as I imagine fully paid-up members of the Teslarati habitually do when defending the company’s honour on social media. You may be shouting things about how Musk really does keep his promises and that we should know better than to question him. Hmm. About how despite early difficulties with the production volumes associated with the Model 3, Tesla has already smashed its 5000-cars-per-week factory target and is now aiming for 10,000. About how, having promised a $35,000 version of the car back at launch, Tesla has just delivered North American customers exactly that.
Let’s give the man some well-earned credit, then. Musk is, slowly but surely, realising a project considered by many so ambitious as to be way beyond his company’s abilities when it was first mooted. If the Model 3 succeeds, it will undoubtedly be the car that transforms Tesla from bit-part player to global player – although the recently announced downsizing of its global dealer network might suggest that outcome is still not guaranteed.
At any rate, the haters can clearly suck tailpipe on one score; while the Model 3 is still several months from becoming available in the UK and in right-hand drive form, deliveres have now commenced in Europe – albeit only in its richer and more expensive forms. And it’s the first Tesla to come here with a CCS charging port, so it’s compatible not only with Tesla’s own proprietary Supercharger network but also the majority of other public rapid chargers: another significant score on everyday usability.
Both versions that Europeans can now order have two electric motors and the biggest-available 75kWh battery pack. The Dual Motor Long Range is rated for a WLTP-accredited 338 miles of range, makes a combined 346bhp and will hit 62mph from rest in 4.7sec. The Performance we’re testing gives up a smidgeon of that range but counters with a combined 444bhp and a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.4sec.
The Performance, however, is likely to come to the UK pricelist with a five-figure price tag beginning in a six. But if you bought into the big sell about the everyman Tesla, don’t fear: there will be several lesser versions, the cheapest of which, the Standard Range, should be sold (50kWh battery, one motor, circa-220-mile range, sub-6.0sec 0-62mph time) in the UK at around £35,000.
But we’ll have to wait for another day to report on that. For now, it’s the range-topping Performance we’re getting acquainted with.
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TESLA Model 3 i
As a UK reservation holder for the Model 3 (or maybe the new Y) and keen to get behind a comparable BEV I recently took an albeit short test drive of a Jaguar I Pace. The I Pace is the looker but at £60k plus only available as a single model option. Once inside either as driver or passenger first impressions are of a traditional up to date premium offering however it falls terribly short on the tech front compared to what I have experienced with a Tesla (extended test of a Tesla Model S). There is a lot of talk from “legacy” car makers and some eg. Jaguar are making a effort and some still have to fulfill promises eg. Audi, Polestar (Geely/ Volvo), Porsche. My feeling is that Tesla are way ahead of the game; dominating their chosen market sectors in the USA particularly with the Model S and Model 3 - with only 3 models including the Model X they are outselling the ranges of each of MB, BMW and Audi who have been in the market for over 50 years. With assistance from China there are expected to open Gigafactory3 at the end of this year - the largest market in the world. I am looking forward to owning a Tesla and would not bet against the company. They will succeed one way or another. They are setting the Pace not Jaguar. Everyone else is playing catch up and they will be for sometime yet.
TESLA Model 3
I am in my 60s and after an hour of adjustment to the high tech world, I feel that this is the most exhilirating car I have ever owned. Totally unmentioned is the fact that this car gets new features, free, by downloads to the car multiple times a year. AFTER I purchased the car Long Range all wheel drive, NON- performance, I received a dash cam-gratis. Next I received a number of fun silly features such as the car "farting" playing sleigh bells with the use of indicators at Christmas and now I received SENTRY MODE- 8 camera 360 degree recordeing as well as audible alarm and notification system if someone harms me car! I also received DOG MODE which maintains the climate hot or cold and notifies passersby of the function with a huge electronic sign on the dashbstating that the pet is comfortable etc. All free. Everytime Elon gets a suggestion or new idea-we get it zapped to us over the airwaves for free in our cars.It's like Christmas. The car drives amazingly and the acceleration is bonkers!I have NEVER been excited in 45 years driving until this car.
Bye-Bye Brum-Brum
Autocar enjoys Tesla / Musk / EV sneers.Maybe because Tesla dont advertise, dont follow trad-auto 'Stag'-Launch-bonding sessions ;-) eg Fly journos to nice places, get them p*ssed, with trad auto exec's, and let them crash cars with their mates :-) Looking forward to trying track mode - in near silence (and not from an armchair)