Tesla unveils faster variants of Model 3 cars

dubai — Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has revealed the specifications for two new versions of the Model 3, the car that is intended to be the company’s first high-volume vehicle.

The performance version, and a less expensive dual-motor, allwheel-drive option for the company’s Model 3 sedan come as Musk faces pressure from investors to reform Tesla’s nine-member board in the wake of production delays for the model.

The performance Model 3 — also dual-motor and all-wheeldrive — will have a 310-mile range, and accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.

For $78,000 excluding an autopilot option, customers can push the vehicle to a top speed of 155 miles per hour, Musk said on Twitter.

The cost is about the same as a BMW M3, “but 15 per cent quicker and with better handling,” Musk said.

The cost of the normal dualmotor, AWD option is $5,000, Musk said. That version also has a range of 310 miles, but takes a second longer to reach 60 miles per hour and has a top speed of 140 mph. One motor is optimised for power and one for range, Musk said.

Tesla, whose Model 3 is set to compete with BMW AG’s 3-Series and upcoming i4 electric sedan, has repeatedly pushed back production targets and temporarily halted assembly lines to rework them. — Bloomberg