Tesla Model 3: Prototypes of 'Smaller, Simpler' Tesla Vehicle Spotted Testing
Production of the Tesla Model 3 is scheduled to begin in July so it isn't at all surprising that the upcoming all-electric luxury sedan has finally begun testing in the real world.
Model 3 prototypes have recently been spotted on the streets of California. In one set of spy shots, the vehicle is seen with a bright blue exterior paint color. In terms of design, it appears that the Model 3 will be equipped with an upgraded front fascia with a more conventional design.
Meanwhile, the upcoming four-door sedan's interior has been previewed by another set of images captured by Jalopnik. It seems that the Model 3 will feature a large tablet-like display attached to its dashboard. This is different from the center screens of the Model S and Model X, which have been integrated into the interior layout.
The upcoming Tesla Model 3 can also be seen in action in the video below:
When the Model 3 first broke cover in March 2016, car enthusiasts were awed by its price tag of $35,000, which, in turn, made it the most affordable Tesla vehicle ever. Furthermore, interested consumers only needed to pay $1,000 to make a reservation.
This translated to about 373,000 preorders, which Tesla will be busy fulfilling in the two years or so. Many have doubted the automaker's release timeline but CEO Elon Musk has been adamant that they will meet their supposed schedule.
In terms of specs and features, the Model 3 will attain a 215-mile all-electric driving range and will come with self-driving hardware with regular over-the-air software upgrades. Unfortunately, there will be trade-offs due to the low cost of the vehicle.
In a recent blog post, the automaker explained that while current Tesla Model S owners might feel compelled to upgrade to the latest model, they wouldn't need to because they already own the more premium version.
"While Model 3 will be our newest car, it isn't 'Version 3' or the next generation Tesla. Our higher priced premium models still include the most advanced technology and the best driving experience we have to offer," the automaker said.
Model S will continue to be the Tesla flagship vehicle while Model 3 will be "smaller, simpler and will come with far fewer options than Model S."
