Tesla teases Model 3 budget sedan ahead of March 31 reveal

[Shawn Knight]

Tesla is preparing to take the wraps off its long-awaited budget electric sedan, the Model 3. The hype began with a single tweet of a photo showcasing a forward-looking view of the Model S, the Model X and a dark silhouette representing the newcomer.

Existing Tesla owners have reportedly received an e-mail regarding the March 31 launch event. In it, the electric car company said it has set aside 650 spots at the upcoming event specifically for current Tesla owners and their guests.

The company will be hosting a lottery-style drawing for those spots later today and will notify the lucky winners tomorrow.

Everything the company has put out to date – the Roadster, the Model S sedan and the Model X crossover SUV – has come at a premium price point. The Model 3 will be the company's first "mainstream" vehicle with a starting price of around $35,000 before incentives. It's expected to offer a driving range of at least 200 miles on a single charge.

To say the Model 3 is the company's most important product to date would be a massive understatement.

The March 31 event will take place at Tesla's design studio in Hawthorne, California. Doors open at 7 pm PDT with CEO Elon Musk taking the stage around 8:30 pm. Those who can't make it can watch the event via livestream on Tesla's website, we're told.

Despite the unveiling, the Model 3 isn't expected to begin shipping to buyers until late 2017.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/64127-tesla-teases-model-3-budget-sedan-ahead-march.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Getting closer .... price is reachable, but the range is a BIG downside. To be competitive with today's market, the car is going to need a range of 400 miles from the get go. And of course, they are going to have to eliminate those pesky quality problems that have been plaguing the company.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Well, I guess there is one guy in Singapore that won't be buying one.

 

[Arturo]

This is like those VR gadgets... they announce all months and months before shipping. Why not to announce and ship soon, like the flagship phones?

 

[Radical]

This is like those VR gadgets... they announce all months and months before shipping. Why not to announce and ship soon, like the flagship phones?

Because one Tweet just got millions of people reading about their new product.

 

[deemon]

35k is "budget"? Really? I wouldnt buy a new car that costs more than 25k and I don't consider it being budget. 35k? Are they mad?

 

[ampslinger]

The model 3 will be cool, but the chevy bolt will be on the market for solid year prior to its release. By then some charging stations should be in place and the model 3 will not seem so awesome. Meanwhile dyson should be making announcements around the end of 2017 about their upcoming car with even more battery capacity for less money..