Tesla's Revolutionary Model 3

[BobbyMac]

$35k, "Fill it up" for around $10 and it's quicker than a Ferrari. There's a lot of sad sheikhs in the Middle east tonight. Elon Musk is Henry Ford, Steve Jobs and Wernher von Braun all wrapped in one.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elon Musk says pre-orders of Model 3 top 115,000 in first 24 hours. <a href="https://t.co/cMC11xs70X">pic.twitter.com/cMC11xs70X</a></p>— charles fleming (@misterfleming) <a href="https://twitter.com/misterfleming/status/715750141463031810">April 1, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish Glory]

$35k, "Fill it up" for around $10 and it's quicker than a Ferrari. There's a lot of sad sheikhs in the Middle east tonight. Elon Musk is Henry Ford, Steve Jobs and Wernher von Braun all wrapped in one.

The base Model 3 will not be quicker than a Ferrari as Tesla said its 0-60 will be under 6 seconds. Still an impressive car though.

 

[GATTACA!]

How/where do you refuel? Or recharge is a better word I guess.

Also funny story Musk wanted the model numbers to spell sex, but Ford owns the rights to the name "model E". So instead they went with 3, to make it S3X.

 

[IrishLax]

Yeah I'm getting one. Best part is how it might change the current car dealership sales model, which is so antiquated and so dumb.

 

[woolybug25]

Yeah I'm getting one. Best part is how it might change the current car dealership sales model, which is so antiquated and so dumb.

And built entirely around ripping people off.

So... What about a truck?

 

[greyhammer90]

So... What about a truck?

Honestly I'd be interested to just see how the visually design a truck. Their current "style" would look so wonky on a truck style body.

 

[greyhammer90]

Yeah though I'm a fan of the company. The leaps they've made in the industry over the last five years that I thought would be impossible are evidence that Ford, Nissan, et. al weren't really trying at all.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

If I was in the market for a new car right now, I'd buy one.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

This is perfect timing for me. I'm not a "new car" guy, so in a couple years when some used ones are available, it'll be about the time my current car is on it's last leg. I freaking love this company. Been following them since before the Model S was even a concept.

 

[Irish YJ]

And built entirely around ripping people off.

So... What about a truck?

This is exactly what I thought Wooly. I've got too many 4x4s right now, but they are all hill billy'd out (lifted). I like the idea of something standard that can get me around town, to work, and to home depot... Been looking at the Raptor (I change my mind monthly though), but really warming up to this idea.

 

[dales5050]

How/where do you refuel? Or recharge is a better word I guess.

Very impressed with this car but like the iPhone I am going to wait it out a bit.

Charging stations exist, like apps existed on the first iPhone, but it will take a while for those to really be 'everywhere' that's needed.

I am also curious as to how these cars hold up and what their resale value is and maintenance costs are. But I am for sure rooting for them to blow the doors open everywhere.

 

[NDohio]

I really hope charging stations start popping up everywhere. I am on the road quite a bit and the charge will not last me a full day of driving without being able to plug in. I really want one though...

 

[woolybug25]

Very impressed with this car but like the iPhone I am going to wait it out a bit.

Charging stations exist, like apps existed on the first iPhone, but it will take a while for those to really be 'everywhere' that's needed.

I am also curious as to how these cars hold up and what their resale value is and maintenance costs are. But I am for sure rooting for them to blow the doors open everywhere.

I live in a town of 4000 people in rural sw Michiana. We have a charger right downtown. I know of about half a dozen more in a 60 mile radius. If charger density is that good here, then no doubt there's great coverage in metropolitan cities.

Anybody got the spec on miles per charge?

I really wish they would consider a light duty truck. It's an underserved market and trucks are way overpriced right now. They also guzzle gas. Seems like a missed opportunity.

 

[MNIrishman]

If they sell these things as fast as it sounds like they're going to, charging stations won't be a problem. I'm fact, implementing them across the country is a key part of Tesla's plan.

 

[NDohio]

I live in a town of 4000 people in rural sw Michiana. We have a charger right downtown. I know of about half a dozen more in a 60 mile radius. If charger density is that good here, then no doubt there's great coverage in metropolitan cities.

Anybody got the spec on miles per charge?

I really wish they would consider a light duty truck. It's an underserved market and trucks are way overpriced right now. They also guzzle gas. Seems like a missed opportunity.

215

 

[woolybug25]

215

225?

Tesla Model 3 Electric Car Seen Getting 225 Miles Per Charge - Bloomberg

 

[NDohio]

225?

Tesla Model 3 Electric Car Seen Getting 225 Miles Per Charge - Bloomberg

I was close - LOL.

My problem is, if you get the single charger, it takes an hour of charge to go 29 miles(you can add a second charger that will get you 58 miles in an hour). Four to five times a month I will drive 350+ miles in a day and often it's in obscure little towns.

I am gonna need a lot of charging stations!

 

[phork]

I find it hilarious that back in the 80s cars were getting 25mpg on average and everyone said that needed to improve drastically. Here we are almost 40 years later and its still 25mpg.

You are damn right that Big Auto wasn't trying. The only thing they were trying to do was buy up innovation and shelve it. Because really, what are people going to do?

 

[MNIrishman]

I find it hilarious that back in the 80s cars were getting 25mpg on average and everyone said that needed to improve drastically. Here we are almost 40 years later and its still 25mpg.

You are damn right that Big Auto wasn't trying. The only thing they were trying to do was buy up innovation and shelve it. Because really, what are people going to do?

You can thank improvements in safety for that. Cars are heavier than they've ever been, laden down with steel to protect you when your SUV flips over.

I'm most interested in the autopilot features of this thing. That'll be badass.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Fast chargers will charge a car in 30 minutes and a lot of them are located near restaurants and shopping. Charging isn't a problem unless you live in a place like North Dakota.

As far as the trucks, I think Tesla needs to perfect the cars and suv lines first. I read an article the other day about how they're burning through money like crazy...to the point of it being worrisome to the longevity of the company. Adding a new concept to the line of EVs sounds like too much of a financial undertaking at the moment. Especially when their cars still have kinks to be worked out.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

You can thank improvements in safety for that. Cars are heavier than they've ever been, laden down with steel to protect you when your SUV flips over.

I'm most interested in the autopilot features of this thing. That'll be badass.

Neighbor has one. Works like a gem. Pretty fucking insane. Did the upgrade to the software like you'd update an iphone or computer. So weird.

 

[wizards8507]

I really wish they would consider a light duty truck. It's an underserved market and trucks are way overpriced right now. They also guzzle gas. Seems like a missed opportunity.

It wouldn't sell with what they'd be able to deliver in terms of torque and horsepower. You'd need a battery the size of an elephant to be able to serve even the entry-level truck market.

 

[IrishLion]

My wife just picked out our new family vehicle, so when we're due for a second car in 5-6 years and it's my turn to pick, I'm on board with Tesla.

If you go to their website, they have a calculator that tells you why their $35k car is actually cheaper over the long run than buying a standard "cheaper" car, which is pretty neat. At least they did a few months ago when I looked into the charging station situation just out of curiosity.

If you're taking a road trip, the current charging station outlook is set up to get you pretty much anywhere in the country via main routes. I could get from Cincinnati to the southern tip of Florida, and there's only one stretch where you'd be pushing your miles/charge to the limit.

 

[NDRock]

Tesla's website says 215.

 

[woolybug25]

Fast chargers will charge a car in 30 minutes and a lot of them are located near restaurants and shopping. Charging isn't a problem unless you live in a place like North Dakota.

As far as the trucks, I think Tesla needs to perfect the cars and suv lines first. I read an article the other day about how they're burning through money like crazy...to the point of it being worrisome to the longevity of the company. Adding a new concept to the line of EVs sounds like too much of a financial undertaking at the moment. Especially when they're cars still have kinks to be worked out.

I agree with the cars, but vehemently disagree on the SUV's. The SUV market is saturated and you can get cheep SUVS with good gas mileage. There are not a lot of light duty trucks and the commercial market would be a nice hedge. Fleet sales of light duty trucks would be a solid investment, imo.

But I could see the financial constraints of overextending themselves. Even though the big presale numbers are impressive, that's less than a $4M return. They are in the red big time and need to get as many cars to market as possible.

 

[connor_in]

Just FYI...

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/tucsonfuelcell/index.aspx

Fuel cell technology that’s on the road now.

As the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle and the first CUV to ever offer fuel cell technology, the Tucson Fuel Cell is one of the most futuristic vehicles on the road today. While it performs just as strongly as an internal combustion engine, its only emission is water. And it’s just as quiet as a standard EV, while going farther on a single fuel fill-up versus a single full charge.

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Reviews - Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Price, Photos, and Specs - Car and Driver

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/ioniq/index.aspx

Hyundai Ioniq Reviews - Hyundai Ioniq Price, Photos, and Specs - Car and Driver

2017 Hyundai Ioniq product team discusses U.S. hybrid, electric markets

2017 Hyundai Ioniq preview

 

[woolybug25]

It wouldn't sell with what they'd be able to deliver in terms of torque and horsepower. You'd need a battery the size of an elephant to be able to serve even the entry-level truck market.

No you don't. Quit acting like you know anything about man things.

Tesla 3
Horsepower: 503 hp rear and 259 hp front for the P90D; 259 hp front and rear for the 90D and the 70D.
Torque: 713 lb-ft for the P90D; 485 lb-ft for the 90D; 387 lb-ft for the 70D

Toyota Tacoma
Horsepower: 159 hp @ 5200 rpm.
Torque: 180 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm

The Tesla models all have better horsepower and torque numbers than the 4 banger tacoma. Which is the highest selling light-duty commercial fleet truck. I'm not saying they quite enter the heavy duty truck market yet (although 500hp/713torque would certainly allow them to), but rather the light duty truck market.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I agree with the cars, but vehemently disagree on the SUV's. The SUV market is saturated and you can get cheep SUVS with good gas mileage. There are not a lot of light duty trucks and the commercial market would be a nice hedge. Fleet sales of light duty trucks would be a solid investment, imo.

But I could see the financial constraints of overextending themselves. Even though the big presale numbers are impressive, that's less than a $4M return. They are in the red big time and need to get as many cars to market as possible.

They already have a SUV model available, that's why I included it with the cars. The Model S, Model 3, and Model X (the "Model E" was already taken) are what Tesla offers. All I'm saying is they need to perfect those before diving into another highly expensive concept, like a truck. If they didn't have the Model X yet, then I'd probably agree with you that focusing on a less saturated market would be wiser.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

No you don't. Quit acting like you know anything about man things.

Tesla 3
Horsepower: 503 hp rear and 259 hp front for the P90D; 259 hp front and rear for the 90D and the 70D.
Torque: 713 lb-ft for the P90D; 485 lb-ft for the 90D; 387 lb-ft for the 70D

Toyota Tacoma
Horsepower: 159 hp @ 5200 rpm.
Torque: 180 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm

The Tesla models all have better horsepower and torque numbers than the 4 banger tacoma. Which is the highest selling light-duty commercial fleet truck. I'm not saying they quite enter the heavy duty truck market yet (although 500hp/713torque would certainly allow them to), but rather the light duty truck market.

Yeah horsepower and torque wouldn't be an issue in my opinion.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I really wish they would consider a light duty truck. It's an underserved market and trucks are way overpriced right now. They also guzzle gas. Seems like a missed opportunity.

You can thank the Chicken Tax for that.