Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?
Test Drive

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

First meeting with the most compact model of the popular electric vehicle manufacturer

After much fanfare and preliminary inquiries, EV production continues to stand idle. However, these problems do not stop us from trying the new model from Tesla.

Sometimes strange things happen in the automotive universe - for example, General Motors, with its 110-year history, is overtaken by a dwarf like Tesla. That's exactly what happened last year, when the electric car maker's share price reached 65 billion euros, 15 billion more than GM's estimated 50 billion.

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

Ironically, for a 15-year-old manufacturer whose production lines have left a total of 350 vehicles that have not yet brought the company any profit. However, David managed to counter Goliath with his modern electric vehicles and, above all, impressive marketing.

This combination is obviously advantageous in terms of image. Incredibly cool! Compared to her, traditional producers look like a group of old people at an open-air festival.

Tesla epitomizes the transformation of today's automotive world like no other brand. At least that's what Tesla suggests. Or maybe we should change the tense of the verb: "suggested." Because literally last year, the American manufacturer got stuck in business.

More precisely, it closed the production of the new Model 3, the third in the range of the brand's offerings. An EV close to the size of a Mercedes C-Class with a base price of $35 faces the daunting task of attracting a broader mass of consumers in the wake of EVs.

Unfortunately, as of the fall of 2017, only a few thousand units per month are rolled off the assembly lines instead of the planned 5000 per week. Ellon Musk has promised that the latter will happen in mid-2018 and takes personal responsibility for it.

To this end, he is in the company around the clock and can be really ambitious for this (as well as many other things), because on Twitter you can find his revelations in the form of "The car business is difficult."

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

This is likely the case, given the fact that Tesla has lost $ 17 billion in market capitalization in recent weeks. Unfortunately, the euphoric presentation of the spring of 2016 had a huge impact on potential buyers, who made over 500 pre-orders for the car.

Unfortunately - because the waiting time for finished cars has increased to infinity. Exact delivery times? Price? Tesla is largely silent, which in practice means up to two years in some cases.

For example, German customers could not expect to ship Model 3 until early 2019. Perhaps for these reasons, we cannot rely on official testing, so we take a completely different approach and agree to drive a newly delivered production vehicle from the USA.

Please, on stage Tesla Model 3

With its snow-white whiteness, the 4,70 m long vehicle contrasts with the black asphalt, and with its low and dynamic posture evokes sporting associations. This is also facilitated by harmonious and short overhangs and clean shapes without unnecessary edges, edges and moldings.

The body looks like a cast, resembling a tight-fitting suit on an athletic body. The electric vehicle impresses with its low flow rate of 0,23 (drag coefficient). Wide 19-inch wheels are the highest grade available on most vehicles sold in the United States so far.

It also includes multi-setting and heated front seats, two USB ports, and a large 75 kWh battery pack that Tesla calls the Long Range. This and additional information can be found on the Tesla USA website.

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

What won't you find there? How spacious and balanced, most importantly, the interior. All you need to do with your hands is to open the perfectly integrated door handles. As a reward for your efforts, the doors close with a nice solid sound, the Premium seats adjust quickly and well, and the front row feels spacious and spacious.

What else? As already mentioned - the dashboard without buttons. No switches, no regulators, even typical window vents have been preserved. The steering wheel is comfortable to hold, with only two small round controls, and the 15-inch color screen simply reigns supreme on the dashboard, taking up most of it.

From lights to wipers, mirrors, steering wheel settings, air conditioning, navigation, steering (three modes) and audio, to direct air flow for driver and passenger side by side with him.

While there are many more features, they are easy to find and activate. The flip side of all this is the big screen itself; it catches the eye and distracts the eye - if only because it even displays speed data. In this case, a head-up display would be a reasonable solution, which should not be a problem for such an advanced machine. Unfortunately, there is no such thing yet.

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

In various forums, Model 3 owners are also unhappy with the large screen, while others prefer a more sensible arrangement of the various menus. Many people admire keyless access using a card received from the owner or from his smartphone.

Time to go. In fact, where is the start button on the Model 3? Tricky question! The 192 kW electric motor is not actuated by a button - just move the lever located to the right of the steering wheel to the lower position and the system is active.

As soon as it started up, the little Tesla impressed with its sensitivity when supplying "gas" and, thanks to the 525 Newton meters available at zero rpm, reacted spontaneously. The four-door model then walked silently and smoothly through a large open parking lot, but jumped relatively awkwardly, passing through two lying cops. You see, this discipline is better learned by others in this class.

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

At the first traffic light, we briefly forget about the delicate handling of the correct pedal and decide to see what this car is really capable of. The humble white Tesla suddenly becomes an athlete, accelerating from 100 to XNUMX km / h in about six seconds, and doing so in a typical electric car style without imposing its presence on others.

Controllability?

She is great! All battery cells are located underneath the passengers, which means that the 1,7 tonne vehicle's center of gravity is low enough for stability and driving dynamics.

Accordingly, the steering responds quickly to commands. If you want to change its sensitivity, various settings are available in the menu. In addition to the Normal mode, there is also Comfort and Sport.

It is also possible to adjust the amount of coastal regeneration, where the motor in generator mode can provide weaker or stronger braking action by supplying power to the batteries.

Tesla Model 3 Test Drive: Ready?

Mileage?

Tesla promises 500 kilometers with a large battery, and in moderate temperatures it seems doable. After a power outage, charging with the Supercharger for 40 minutes can provide nearly full vehicle mileage. However, for Model 3 charging of Tesla stations is paid.

Another thing that surprised us is the feel of this compact sedan. Sufficient traction during acceleration and overtaking, silence and high mileage, enough space and trunk volume (425 liters).

People who like control systems like this one with multiple menus will be happy. Suspension comfort is disappointing, unfortunately, and Tesla customers have become accustomed to build flaws. It is much more important for them that their cars carry the wind of the future. After all, while others are still thinking, Tesla has already released its third electric model. For now, we can only wait for its appearance in Europe.

Conclusion

The Tesla Model 3 isn't perfect, but good enough to continue to inspire fans of the brand. The dynamics are impressive, the mileage is great, and the future is felt behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the production problems of the model damage the company's image. However, the moment they are removed the Model 3 will come to the fore again because no one else offers anything like it.

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