Tesla Model 3 design, interior and technical specifications

There is a lot of talk about Tesla in the world, but for most people, these electric cars still remain inaccessible. Today, the model range includes Model S sedan and Model X crossover. Recently, the budget Model 3 went on sale. Let’s see what kind of model it is.

The work on Tesla Model 3 began in 2007 but for technical reasons, the development was postponed to 2013. The designers used a completely new platform, different from the Model X and Model S. At a special event in California, the American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors revealed the prototype called Model 3. The presentation of the new Tesla electric car model has already been discussed by almost all the world’s media. No one promised that Tesla 3 would revolutionize the car market. However, it did it. Although the only thing that people knew was that Model 3 would be a mixture of Model S and Model X, the previous flagships of the company, almost 120 000 pre-orders were booked. After 2 weeks, the number of pre-orders increased to 373 000. The company’s founder, Ilon Mask, said that in 2017 the concern would sell part of its shares so that production capacity was sufficient for such a massive production of cars. Almost a year and a half after the world debut, the car is finally in production in the enterprise in Fremont, California.  Deliveries of Model 3 began in July 2017 and at the moment it is available in several configurations with Standard Range, Mid-Range, and Long Range battery options.

Tesla Model 3 is a mid-size, all-electric premium sedan and, concurrently, the first car of the California-based company Tesla, Inc., focused on the “mass market” and not at the luxury segment. Its target audience is wealthy people who want to get a stylish, dynamic and modern vehicle, but at the same time pay special attention to environmental issues.

Externally, Model 3 is a slightly “shrunken” copy of the Model S, but in reality it is a sedan, not a hatchback. The electric car looks beautiful and sporty, and the formidable front end, completely devoid of the grille, with LED headlights, adds distinctiveness to it. It is characterized with dynamic and harmonious proportions, and the design of the rear end with beautiful lights and a powerful bumper does not disappoint. The futuristic exterior reminds of Tesla Model S, but the body shape has become more rounded and smoothed.

Tesla Model 3 performance and specifications

Tesla 3 buyers call it the future as this is the only full-fledged motor that runs on electricity, which until recently seemed like a fantasy.

Model has the following dimensions – 4694 mm long, 1849 mm wide (taking into account the side mirrors – 1933 mm), and does not exceed 1443 mm in height. The electric vehicle has a wheelbase of 2875 mm, and its ground clearance is 140 mm. The four-door weighs from 1609 to 1730 kg, depending on the modification.

High-tech materials, such as aluminum and high-strength steel, were involved in the production, which had a positive effect on body rigidity and safety. Like the older models, Model 3 Tesla has frameless doors and sliding handles, Independent multi-link rear suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, Variable ratio, speed sensitive electronic power steering, electromechanically boosted four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and the customers can choose between 18” or 19” sport or 20” performance wheels with various tire options

In Model 3 Tesla, the rear sofa folds in the 60/40 ratio, and the total volume of the two boot racks reaches 425 liters. The battery is located in the rear, which affects the size of the luggage compartment. The basic configuration of Model 3 has all the necessary sensors and equipment for a full autopilot. A full autonomous driving system will appear a little later for an additional price of USD 8,000.

The weight distribution differs for the different modifications – 47% front, 53% rear (Model 3), 48% front, 52% rear (Model 3 Mid-Range and Long Range RWD), 50% front, 50% rear (Model 3 Dual Motor and Performance)

Model 3 is offered with three battery configurations:

Standard Battery

Supercharging rate: 150 miles of range per 30 minutes

Home charging rate: 37 miles of range per hour (240V outlet, 40A)

Mid Range Battery

Supercharging rate: 150 miles of range per 30 minutes

Home charging rate: 37 miles of range per hour (240V outlet, 40A)

Long Range Battery

Supercharging rate: 170 miles of range per 30 minutes

Home charging rate: Home charging rate: 37 miles of range per hour (240V outlet, 40A)

 

Model 3 Performance specifications:

Battery – Long Range

Acceleration – 3.2 seconds 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h)

Range – 310 miles (498 km)

Drive – Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive

Seating – 5 Adults

Wheels – 20″ Performance Wheels

Weight – 4,072 lbs

Cargo 15 cu ft

Displays 15″ Center Touchscreen

Warranty: Vehicle – 4 year 50,000 miles

Battery and Drive Unit – 8 year 120,000 miles

Premium interior and equipment include 12-way power adjustable front and rear heated seats, 14 speakers, 1 subwoofer, 2 amps and immersive sound, satellite-view maps with live traffic visualization and navigation, internet streaming music and media, internet browser, LED fog lamps, tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection, auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors, center console with storage, 4 USB ports and docking for 2 smartphones, etc.

Here are Model 3 Long range specifications:

Battery: Long Range

Acceleration: 4.4 seconds 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h)

Range: 310 miles

Drive: Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive

Seating: 5 Adults

Wheels” 18″ or 19″

Weight: 4,072 lbs

Cargo: 15 cu ft

Displays: 15″ Center Touchscreen

Warranty: Vehicle – 4 year 50,000 miles

Battery and Drive Unit – 8 year 120,000 miles

Tesla Model 3 interior design – the ultimate minimalism

Tesla Model 3 was named the most innovative car and it turned out to be true. It was rumored that Tesla will remove traditional interior parts from its new model and so they did! As the chief designer of Tesla, Franz von Holzhausen, pointed out, the interior is the most amazing, innovative and radical part of Tesla Model 3 and due to the fact that Model 3 is relatively small, the goal was to make the interior as spacious as possible.

This is, perhaps, the most minimal design you have ever seen. This car doesn’t even have a dashboard. No center console with buttons, no sensors, no switches. Only a thin strip of wood from one edge to the other. All the information is displayed on a 15-inch touchscreen display, set to the right of the steering wheel and this is how climate, navigation and audio system are controlled. Plus there is a pair of joysticks on the steering wheel, although the projection on the windshield is not provided.

The roof is almost entirely made of two pieces of glass. The seats also look minimalistic, but inside the car is spacious and comfortable. The seats can be folded and thus increase the luggage capacity. An additional package is available to customers which includes a panoramic roof, wood trim, leather upholstery, a premium audio system with 12 speakers and heated seats in both rows, audio system with 12 speakers and two slots for wireless smartphone charging.

Tesla decided to completely abandon the car key. The mobile application on your phone will fully replace the ignition key. To open the car, it will be enough just to approach it. In addition, you can view almost any information about the car and manage some functions.

Some people find the interior of Tesla 3 model too minimal, but as per Holzhausen, the clean and minimalistic design would allow the driver to focus more on driving.

Tesla model 3 Pricing

 

Just days ago Tesla lowered the price of Model 3 while raising the prices of Model X and S. The starting price of the Model 3 is lowered from $32,225 to $30,315 in pearl white color.

Custom color adds between USD 750 for black to USD 2000 for red.

19’’ Sport Wheels will cost you additional USD 1500.

A black and white interior optios adds another 1000 dollars.

Autopilot is optional and costs USD 6000.

In conclusion, we have to say that Tesla model 3 is an innovative, stylish looking vehicle with futuristic interior which emphasizes the character and status of its owner in society. Even a long trip will not cause passengers and driver extra inconvenience as it is designed to for comfortable, interesting, and most importantly, safe trip. The car will serve you for many kilometers and give unforgettable emotions from the trip.