THE ATMOSPHERE IS ELECTRIC
Tesla’s mainstream electric Model 3 is finally here, with green cred — and pricey self-driving tech that doesn’t work yet
It’s here — finally. More than three years after Australians lined up, Apple iPhone-style, to put a $1500 deposit on the “affordable” Tesla, the Model 3 is on sale locally. Tesla founder Elon Musk, not one for understatement, says the Model 3 “is really important for the future of the world”. He also claims the car is the safest on the road, with peerless technology and better performance than driving benchmarks such as BMW’s M3 sports sedan.
Pitched as being attainable for mainstream buyers, the Model 3 could prove a vital step on the road to electrification.
Musk’s aim was to sell the Model 3 in the United States for $US35,000 ($50,650) with the help of government incentives. That’s roughly the same money required to get into a top-end Mazda6, both here and in the US.
In Australia, where there are precious few incentives to choose a green car, the Tesla Model 3 range starts at $66,000 for a rearwheel drive Standard Range sedan claiming about 460km of driving as well as the ability to hit 100km/h from rest in 5.6 seconds, faster than a Subaru WRX.
Spend $85,000 on the Long Range model and those figures shift to 620km and 4.6 secs while bringing a premium interior. The rangetopping Model 3 Performance at $91,200 can reach the speed limit in 3.4 secs and promises
AT A GLANCE
TESLA MODEL 3 PRICE $66,000-$91,200
POWER 225kW-360kW
RANGE 410km-560km
SAFETY 5 stars, 8 airbags, AEB, active cruise control, lane keeping assistance, piloted driving BOOT 425L an anxiety-free range of about 560km.
It also has 20-inch wheels, bigger brakes, lower suspension, higher top speed and track mode for high-performance driving.
Five-star EuroNCAP safety comes thanks to eight airbags, a strong body and the highest score awarded to the active driver aids on any new model. Impressive credentials they may be but Tesla’s pricing model for the Model 3 isn’t without controversy. The maker is asking customers to pay upfront for technology that doesn’t work yet.
Owners can tick a box to order “full selfdriving capability” for $8500.
The maker claims the tech will deliver “automatic driving on city streets”, the ability to recognise and respond to traffic lights and “automatic driving from motorway on-ramp to off-ramp including interchanges and overtaking slower cars”. Critics say “full selfdriving capability” is a misleading description.
Tesla says the features are “coming later this year” depending on regulatory approval and other factors. Given the company’s regular habit of missing deadlines — and the caution of governments when it comes to road safety — that seems optimistic.
More than two years ago, there was a similar option on the Model X. Buyers are still waiting for it to be activated.
When it gets the green light, Musk will flick a switch to allow customers to stream YouTube and Netflix videos on the move, with the car taking care of driving duties.
Video play is one of the many features made possible by the Model 3’s 15-inch screen, which replaces conventional displays. There is no dedicated driver display, infotainment screen or climate control readout — it’s all done through the central tablet.
In the US, Motor Trend magazine rates the Model S as “the most significant vehicle of the past 70 years”, while Consumer Reports does CURRENT RIVALS
JAGUAR I-PACE
PRICE $119,000 plus on-roads
POWER 294kW
RANGE 470km
The Brits beat German rivals to market with a usable full-size EV in late 2018. Great to drive, the I-Pace looks unlike anything else while making rivals feel old-fashioned.
NISSAN LEAF
PRICE $49,990 plus on-roads
POWER 110kW
RANGE 270km
The world’s best-selling electric car (for now), the Leaf promises the unique ability to supply power to your home, as soon as local infrastructure permits.
HYUNDAI IONIQ
PRICE $44,990
POWER 88kW
RANGE 230km
Cheaper than the Leaf. On paper it looks down on power but performance is above average for a city commuter.
HYUNDAI KONA EV
PRICE $59,999 plus on-roads
POWER 150kW
RANGE 449km
Hyundai wants big dollars for its little electric SUV — twice as much as a normal Kona. But it has plenty of go and a long-range battery that makes the Leaf look old-hat.
not recommend people buy the brand’s cars due to reliability concerns.
Production and quality issues have dogged Tesla for years, though the brand says it is working hard to address them, and that teething troubles for the Model 3 were resolved in the first year of production. Tesla supports the car with a four-year/ 80,000km warranty FUTURE RIVALS
AUDI E-TRON
PRICE $140,000 (est)
POWER 265kW
RANGE 400km
On sale later this year. Based on the Q7 family SUV, the e-tron feels relatively normal compared to some rivals. That’s sweet or sour, depending on what you expect from a new EV.
MINI ELECTRIC
PRICE $50,000 (est)
POWER 135kW
RANGE 270km
On sale 2020. It makes a lot of sense. EV hallmarks — instant torque, low centre of gravity and urban purpose — gel sweetly with Mini’s core values.
BMW iX3
PRICE $80,000 (est)
POWER 200kW (est)
RANGE 400km (est)
On sale 2021. Improving on the tech in the i3 hatch and i8 supercar, the iX3 electrifies the brand’s popular X3 crossover.
MERCEDES EQC
PRICE $140,000 (est)
POWER 300kW
RANGE 417km
On sale later this year. Beaten to market by rivals, Benz insists this will be the benchmark for quality and refinement, rather than claiming fastest acceleration or longest range.
and a further eight years/ 160,000km of motor and battery support in Australia.
Electric cars require far less maintenance than combustion models.
There is no scheduled service plan at Tesla but owners are encouraged to bring cars in for annual check-ups for consumables such as tyres, brakes and air filters.