Accompanying the tweet of the video of a Model 3 release candidate going down a street, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also revealed several things about the Model 3 and Model Y.
To kick things off, he noted that a performance version of the Model 3 would be coming at some point, probably in ~1 year:
@dr_angus Yeah, probably a year from now. S will still win on acceleration though, due to having more space for a larger battery.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@Skate_a_book Yes. Model S will always be the fastest Tesla until next gen Roadster, which is a few years away.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
As I think we’ve been told before, the max battery size for the Model 3 will be 75 kWh for practical reasons:
@kryniog The shorter wheelbase only allows for a 75 kWh pack in Model 3 at current cell/module energy densities
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
Elon also responded that early deliveries of the Model 3 will be of the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant — as was the case with the launch of the Model S a few years back.
The reason for this is simple and expected: “minimizing configuration complexity to keep the production ramp on schedule.”
Here are the tweets in question:
@JimPengelly Yes, but not until next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@FredericLambert @JimPengelly No, we are minimizing configuration complexity to keep the production ramp on schedule. RWD only for early production, just like Model S.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
So, to reiterate that for hopefully complete clarity: Early Tesla Model 3 deliveries will all be of the RWD variant. There won’t be any all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants delivered until after mass production is underway.
That said, Elon does hope that early reservation holders who want the AWD Model 3 variant will still qualify for the $7,500 US federal tax credit.
@nickbaum I believe so
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@DJBurges Should be summer next year. Sorry, really wish we could get RHD done sooner. We truly are working as fast as we can.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
In related news, the Tesla CEO also revealed that the Model Y — the “affordable” crossover to be built on the same platform as the Model 3 — is still “a few years away” from release. So, those thinking that they are going to transfer a Model 3 reservation to a Model Y reservation may be banking on a mistaken notion (or maybe not).
@varunfatehpuria Oh Model Y is coming too in a few years. Kinda have to.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
Interesting news overall. I had assumed that the AWD variant of the Model 3 would be amongst the higher-trim offerings that are delivered first, but I guess not.
Since we’re on the subject, I have to ask: Are those who are interested in the Model Y still going to purchase one even if the model has falcon-wing doors (and no option for “regular” ones)? Or would that be a dealbreaker for some of you? While I’m inclined towards the extra interior space and higher ride of a crossover, I’m certainly not a fan of the falcon-wing doors.
In addition to the fun above, here’s a telling tweet regarding the Model S vs Model 3:
@CamKode The Model S produced today is arguably version 4. Let me put it this way: it is the car I will keep driving even after Model 3 arrives.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
Lastly, yeah, the Model 3 will apparently compare with the Chevy Bolt well in the range category:
@Mr_Ewe_Guy Oh so little faith
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
Source: CleanTechnica. Reproduced with permission.
