ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla's first Model 3 will be delivered Friday — here's what you need to know (TSLA)

Tesla's first Model 3 will be delivered Friday, marking the company's launch of its first mass-market sedan.

A Tesla Model 3.

Tesla will launch the Model 3, its first mass-market vehicle, on Friday night.

The Model 3 is Tesla's first sedan targeted at a general consumer audience. Priced at $35,000, the car is sold out through most of 2018 after securing more than 350,000 preorders in April 2016. Tesla will livestream the official launch on its website on Friday at 8:45 p.m. PT.

Tesla will begin Model 3 deliveries at Friday's party as it slowly ramps up production to a goal of 20,000 a month in December.

The vehicle is arguably the company's most important car yet, but there are still some unanswered questions about the Model 3.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla has yet to provide a real glimpse of the car's interior or finalize specs for the car. There are other potential reveals we'll be looking out for as well.

We rounded up everything we know about the car and the details that are still under wraps. Scroll down for a closer look:

First, the basics. Tesla will offer at least four color options for the Model 3: red, silver, metallic gray, and black.

Tesla's big selling point for the Model 3 is its affordability, with a starting price of $35,000 before tax incentives. But for customers who want the full Tesla experience, the final price will most likely surpass $40,000.

It's unclear whether customers who buy the Tesla Model 3 will be eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive — that credit applies only to the first 200,000 cars a manufacturer sells domestically.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla globally sold about 80,000 vehicles in 2016 and about 50,000 vehicles in 2015. Factoring in cars sold since 2008, Tesla will be cutting it close to 200,000 vehicles by the time deliveries begin at the end of the year.

But the credit doesn't disappear the second an automaker hits 200,000 vehicles. Instead, the credit would first fall by 50%, CNN reported.

On its website, Tesla doesn't make any guarantees about the federal tax incentive.

"We are committed to providing you with the most current information about incentives at the time of purchase," the website says. "We'll do the same when it's time for confirming your Model 3 order."

Tesla's new Autopilot system will also cost at least $5,000, but more on that later.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla says the car will be able to drive at least 215 miles on a single charge. That'd be pretty good for a $35,000 car!

The latest models of the Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric cost about $30,000 but have more limited ranges of 107 miles and 124 miles.

The Model 3 will compete more closely with the Chevy Bolt, which can drive 238 miles on a single charge and starts at $37,495.

The Model 3 can accelerate to 60 mph in under six seconds.

That edges out the Chevy Bolt, which can do zero to 60 in about seven seconds.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla could reveal more powerful versions of the Model 3 at the event.

Musk has said Tesla plans to unveil different Model 3 trims in the future with longer ranges and faster acceleration times.

"Of course, there will be versions of the Model 3 that go much faster," Musk said at the Model 3 unveiling. "In terms of range, the range will be at least an EPA rating of 215 miles. I want to emphasize that these are minimum numbers — we hope to exceed them."

The Model 3 comes equipped with a new suite of sensors that can support full autonomy.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Model 3 comes with eight cameras, one radar sensor, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a new Nvidia Drive PX2 supercomputer to support Tesla's second-generation Autopilot system, dubbed Enhanced Autopilot.

Tesla says Enhanced Autopilot will eventually allow the car to match its speed to traffic conditions, automatically change lanes without driver input, merge on and off highways, and park itself. Tesla owners could also summon the car in more complex environments, like a crowded parking lot.

It costs an extra $5,000 to activate Enhanced Autopilot features at the time of purchase, but standard safety features will come free.

Tesla says the new hardware will eventually allow the cars to drive themselves. But the self-driving feature will cost an additional $4,000 after purchasing the vehicle. The regulatory environment will determine when Tesla can release the fully driverless system.

Tesla said the Model 3 is designed to achieve a five-star safety rating.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla has been a leader when it comes to safety. The government recently dubbed the Model X the safest SUV ever after it earned a five-star rating in every safety category and subcategory.

The Model S has also secured a five-star rating in every category.

Model 3 owners get access to Tesla's massive Supercharger network.

Tesla's Supercharger network is nothing to sniff at. A Supercharger can restore 170 miles of range in 30 minutes. That's much faster than a Tesla partner station or a wall socket.

Better yet, Tesla is doubling the number of Superchargers worldwide by the end of 2017. The gray dots on the map above show the new Superchargers expected to come online by the end of the year.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the perk is no longer free. Unless you can snag a referral code from a friend, you will have to pay for access once you've reached 1,000 miles. Thankfully, it's a small fee.

The Model 3 offers a ton of space for a passenger sedan.

The car, which seats five, can even fit a 7-foot surfboard, Musk said last year.

Tesla will offer a glass roof as an option on the Model 3.

Just like it does with the Model S, Tesla will offer an array of premium features for its Model 3, Electrek reported. In addition to the glass roof, Tesla will allow customers to purchase 18- or 19-inch wheels, according to the report.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tesla opened its glass division in October to make its solar roofs. The group is developing glass that can use heating elements to clear snow while generating energy. Musk said this kind of glass could be used as a rear defroster on cars, but it's unclear whether we will see this technology on the first production Model 3 vehicles.

The sedan features a clean design.

See how there's no grille? The car is completely smooth.

Like the Model X, the handles are flush with the door.

It also comes with a massive 15-inch tablet. But unlike the tablets in the Model S and Model X, the display is horizontal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reorienting the touchscreen might make it easier to access different features while driving.

Aside from the horizontal touch screen, we have yet to get a real understanding of what the interior will look like.

There have been rumors that the Model 3 may feature a heads-up display that shows information like speed and navigation directly on the windshield. The event will finally reveal whether the rumors are true and if there are any other surprises inside the car.

Anyone interested in ordering a Model 3 now will have to wait. Tesla says Model 3 deliveries for people who order today will begin mid-2018 the earliest.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT