After years of hype and rumor, Tesla has finally revealed the Model 3, the vehicle embodying CEO Elon Musk’s vision to bring the electric car to the masses. At last night’s unveiling at the company’s design studio in Hawthorne, California, Musk announced that the Model 3 will start at $35,000, delivering a range of at least 215 miles. The base model can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, with options for both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Additionally, all Model 3 trims will have support for Tesla’s high-speed Supercharging network, which will expand to 7,200 Superchargers by the end of 2017, double the number available today.
The Model 3 will fit five adults comfortably, with both front and rear trunks available for storage. A 15-inch landscape touchscreen awaits drivers inside the cabin (versus the 17-inch portrait touchscreen in the Model S and X), and autopilot safety features are standard. Another interesting feature, it’s one continuous piece of glass covering the rear roof area, providing an uninterrupted sky view.
According to Tesla, more than 130,000 preorders have already been submitted, but they’re not expected to get behind the wheel of a Model 3 any time soon. Production isn’t expected to begin until late 2017, more than 18 months from now.
