The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 compact electric car will enter production in about two years, CEO Elon Musk tweeted yesterday. As pointed out by qz.com, the announcement is not really a surprise — Musk has said for several years now that he will deliver the mass-market sedan in 2017.
For that to happen, however, the company’s new battery plant, nicknamed “Gigafactory,” will need to become fully operational. Therein lays the key to offering a Model 3 at just $35,000 USD. Expect a range of about 320 kilometres.
If you can’t wait until 2017, you will be happy to know that the Model 3 will be showcased for the first time next March, according to another Musk tweet.
In related news, the first units of the all-new Tesla Model X crossover will be ready on September 29th at the Fremont assembly plant in California. Pricing will start just $5,000 USD above a similarly equipped Model S.
InsideEVs.com has learned that the Model X will use a 762-horsepower electric motor and 90kWh battery, accelerating from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.8 seconds. Range is estimated at 386 kilometres. Details for the Canadian market have yet to be revealed, though.
Tesla is on a major roll, obviously, and in their latest review of the Model S P85D Consumer Reports described it as the top-rated car they have ever tested (80 years), with a perfect road test score of 100.