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Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 First Impressions

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Marques Brownlee, YouTube tech reviewer extraordinaire, had the chance to do a short test drive of the Tesla Model 3. He already owns a Tesla Model S, so he provides a pretty reserved review of Tesla’s new affordable option.

Marques praises Tesla for retaining the spirit of their brand in the minimalist Model 3, but expresses concerns about how everything is controlled on the 15 inch touchscreen, even the glove box. Judging by the top voted YouTube comments, this is a shared worry among the general population:

Sketcher02041 day ago
“Everything is simple” (Needs software to open the glove compartment)
Atom Five1 day ago
That monitor goes out for any reason, I mean, it’s a single point of failure. Doesn’t seem safe at all. I could be wrong. Please tell me I’m wrong.
Gregory Gant1 day ago
Putting everything on the touchscreen with no physical buttons and a speedometer in front of the driver is a big mistake IMHO.What happens when the screen fails for some reason,you are totally screwed!! You don’t know what the hell is going on ! Epic fail !
Even though Tesla has likely made plenty of safety measures to prevent any sort of problem with touchscreen malfunctions, popular perceptions can influence whether or not the Tesla Model 3 will be adopted by the masses.  So I hope Tesla shows more ride alongs and tutorials on navigating the touchscreen, as well as reassuring electric car novices that a car can be safely operated without physical buttons and a traditional dashboard.
Marques also talks about options like colors, wheels, and automation packages.  $5000 will get you semi automation with self parking, lane holding, and speed changing autopilot.  For $5000 more you can basically just tell your car where to go from point A to point B, which is full-automation.  The safety sensors will be on the base model with no extra charge.  This brings up an interesting issue as to why the software is so expensive when the hardware is standard, as it isn’t physical, but digital script that could be copied and distributed, or even pirated.  However, I’m not sure if anyone is daring or stupid enough to trust their lives to bootleg PirateBay Uber.
As a successful YouTuber who already owns a Model S, Marques Brownlee represents the middle class Tesla owner, whereas most of his viewers seem to be younger people, highschoolers and young adults.  To him, it seems the Model 3 is kind of meh, to his audience, the Model 3 is hardly “affordable”.  In fact it’s about the same price as a C class Mercedes, so many could consider Elon Musk’s idea of an affordable people’s car rather condescending.  So Tesla has to find a way to manage these views as the hype train slows down in the next couple years, though they have time to think about before their supply can match the unprecedented initial demand.
Tesla Model 3

Everything You Need to Know About the Tesla Model 3 Before the July Reveal

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Tesla is gearing up for the big reveal of the Model 3, its first mass-market car.

CEO Elon Musk unveiled the car last March, but Tesla will show off the production version of the sedan in July. The summer show will allow the roughly 400,000 customers who preordered the vehicle a chance to see the final version before deliveries begin at the end of the year.

We broke down everything you need to know about the Model 3 — here’s a closer look:

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

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

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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, however, the final price will most likely surpass $40,000.

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, however, the final price will most likely surpass $40,000.

REUTERS/Joe White/File Photo

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.

Tesla globally sold about 80,000 vehicles in 2016 and about 50,000 vehicles in 2015. Factoring 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. We’ll do the same when it’s time for confirming your Model 3 order,” the website says.

Tesla’s new Autopilot system will also cost at least $7,100, but more on that later.

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

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

YouTube/Motor Trend

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

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.

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

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That edges out the Chevy Bolt, which can do 0-60 mph in about seven seconds. Musk has saidthat more-expensive versions of the car will have longer ranges and faster acceleration times, but he hasn’t announced those yet.

It comes equipped with a new suite of sensors that can support full autonomy.

It comes equipped with a new suite of sensors that can support full autonomy.

Tesla

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.

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

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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.

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

Tesla

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.

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

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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.

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

Tesla

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.

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 Model 3.

The sedan features a clean design.

The sedan features a clean design.

Tesla

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

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

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

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

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

Tesla

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

A lot is riding on Tesla’s big Model 3 reveal. We’ll be watching in July to see what else is new.

A lot is riding on Tesla's big Model 3 reveal. We'll be watching in July to see what else is new.

Tesla

Originally Article by BusinessInsider
Tesla Model 3, Tesla Motors

Video of the First Tesla Model 3, Serial #1

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The first Tesla Model 3 has officially been delivered. Here you can see Doug Field, Sr. VP of Engineering, former VP of Product Design for Apple, carefully positioning the Tesla for photographers. The first car off the factory floor is likely to belong to the founder of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk.

Already Tesla enthusiasts are analyzing the 3:33 minute video. They pointed out that the roof looks to be glass and the driver side door has a nice weighty sound to it. Even the phone conversations of the people around the car are being analyzed.

The most important thing is that Tesla has finally begun its affordable mass-production electric car campaign, and people are very excited about the prospect of a realistic alternative to fossil fuel in the near future.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Motors

All Tesla Supercharger Stations to Be Solar Powered, Says Musk

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Fed by the virtually unlimited supply of money emanating from the Koch Brothers to influence the media, plenty of people are convinced that electric cars are not as green as they pretend to be. That includes Teslas that recharge at Supercharger locations.

Tesla-supercharger-expansion-01-570x286

After all, they have to get their electricity from somewhere and in many places worldwide, that somewhere is a coal-fired generating plant. The critics ask, what good is it to have zero tailpipe emissions if the stuff that makes the car go is derived from burning coal? One such critic posed that question to Elon Musk yesterday and got an unexpected response.

Tesla has embarked on a campaign to double the number of its Supercharger locations in 2017. In a blog post earlier this year, it said,

“As Tesla prepares for our first mass-market vehicle and continues to increase our Model S and Model X fleet, we’re making charging an even greater priority. It is extremely important to us and our mission that charging is convenient, abundant, and reliable for all owners, current and future. In 2017, we’ll be doubling the Tesla charging network, expanding existing sites so drivers never wait to charge, and broadening our charging locations within city centers.”

The Union of Concerned Scientists has published data refuting the hackneyed claim that electric cars are not all that green. Its study finds that two thirds of all Americans live in an area where driving an electric car contributes fewer total emissions than driving the most fuel efficient hybrid.

The only parts of the country where that is not true are places like West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, where the majority of electricity comes from coal-fired plants.

In fact, driving a Tesla in Wheeling, West Virginia creates more carbon pollution than driving a 64 Chevelle with the 396 engine. That’s because West Virginians are proud of their ability to poison themselves and their families with coal pollutants.

How soon will it be before all Tesla Supercharger locations are solar powered? Musk left the answer to that question somewhat vague. Suffice to say, it will be sooner than the charging equipment offered by any other automaker.

This article was originally published on CleanTechnica.

Tesla Model 3, Tesla Motors

Official Tesla Model 3 Announcement Video

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Tesla plans to begin making deliveries of the Tesla Model 3 by late 2017. The Model 3 combines real world range, performance, safety and spaciousness into a premium sedan. This will be Tesla’s most affordable car yet. The Model 3 achieves 215 miles of range per charge while starting at only $35,000 before incentives and regional electric vehicle tax deductions. Model 3 is designed to attain the highest safety ratings in every category. The Model 3 will also include automated drive technology, standard. By now, over 400,000 people have payed the $1,000 reservation fee. There is obviously strong demand for this stylish plug-in, fully electric vehicle from a brand known for bringing cutting edge technology to drivers demanding more from automakers. This may be Elon Musk’s most ground breaking model, an entry into the middle class consumer car market.  Let’s hope Tesla can supply the demand.

From Tesla Motors:
Model 3 is the next logical step of Tesla’s “secret master plan” and mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Like every Tesla, Model 3 is engineered to combine range, performance, safety and utility. Smart design maximizes interior space, to comfortably fit 5 adults and all of their gear. Tesla makes fast cars, Model 3 is no exception. The high efficiency electric motor provides zero to 60 mph acceleration in less than six seconds. And when equipped with electric all-wheel drive, Model 3 provides safe and dependable traction in all conditions.

Designed with safety as a priority, Model 3 should be the safest car in its class once testing completes. This, combined with over 200 miles of range while starting at $35,000 before incentives, makes Model 3 an extraordinary mid-size sedan.

Model 3 will begin production in late 2017, ramping Tesla vehicle production to 500,000 vehicles per year.

Porsche

Really! Porsche’s prototype battery-driven sports car aims to challenge Tesla Motors!

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Porsche is one of the most iconic car manufacturers in the world. It has a rich history of producing some of the fastest and best looking vehicles ever to be designed. The modern range includes the latest version of the famous Porsche 911 and a variety of other vehicles right through to the Porsche Cayenne; their four wheel drive luxury model with more horsepower than the average sports car. Now, Porsche is aiming to take on the electric powered car manufacturers and build a car which will beat Tesla at their own game!

IAA 2015 - Porsche Mission E concept

At the end of last year Porsche announced its latest concept, the Mission E sports car; it is all electric, boasts 600 horsepower and will be on sale within five years. Perhaps even more impressive is that the expected range is 300 miles and the vehicle can be recharged in as little as fifteen minutes! Porsche’s Mission E is described as an all wheel drive, all wheel steering, battery powered street car. Will it manage to surpass Tesla’s performance levels? Will it be able to compete with Tesla’s competitive price ($35,000) for its latest model?

Development

The global head of research and development at Porsche, Wolfgang Hatz has stated that the car has been on the drawing board for many years, but it has not been the right time to build it. In fact, he has been quoted as saying “it would happen when we can really deliver performance, reliability and driving range. And now the time is right.” The prototype has been in testing for one year and it is very close to obtaining approval to move on to the production phase. Although, at this stage a date has not been committed to and the price has only been hinted at being competitive for its target market.

The car is likely to be on sale for in excess of $100,000 US; it has already been acknowledged within the industry that there would be a limited demand for an electric sports car which can deliver high performance and travel for over three hundred miles on one charge. But, that those who would be interested in this sort of vehicle would be prepared to pay the price tag which goes with it. Elon Musk, the CEO of Telsa has also acknowledged that the market is there and that they are the main competitor to Porsche.

Elon Musk - The Summit 2013

Specifications

Porsche is keeping to its usual impressive statistics. Mission E is intended to be a four door, four passenger vehicle but it should still reach sixty from a standing start in just three and a half seconds. It will make it all the way to one hundred and twenty in just fewer than twelve seconds.

The car will be the first car to feature an 800 volt electric system and it will be possible to recharge this system to eighty percent power in just fifteen minutes. It should be noted that there is presently no infrastructure to support the recharging; this will need to be created before the car is finally produced.

Gadgets

Porsche’s pioneering prototype will also feature a variety of state of the art electronic systems, including an all new eye tracking system, which is intended to sense which part of the dashboard the driver is looking at and will highlight the relevant part of the dash. It will even expand the gauges in the specific area.

Tesla Model 3: boom di prenotazioni! Arriva l'elettrica "popolare"!

It is important to note that this car will be a Porsche; it is not intended to be targeted as competition to any other manufacturer. Porsche has its own reputation and will ensure the car meets its exacting standards; there is no doubt there will be a high level of demand from Porsche customers. This includes building a car which is iconic, balanced, fast and luxurious.

There’s no doubt about it – Porsche is one of the world’s greatest car manufacturers. But then again, the company is also one of the most expensive. Not everyone will afford to pay $100,000 on a Porsche Mission E. Fortunately Porsche has a lot more fame than Tesla. It is targeted at high-end buyers eager and it is eager to challenge its main competitors. We’re just hoping Porsche released the Mission E soon!

By Christopher Austin and Design911.co.uk!