EV of the week: Tesla Model 3

Technology has helped revolutionize and shape the lives of millions of people paving the way for smarter and more practical machines. To pay homage to these modern marvels, we’ll be starting a brand-new series called the electric vehicle (EV) of the week where we’ll talk about electric vehicles from across the globe. Kicking off the series is the Tesla Model 3, a full self-driving, go-anywhere, electric vehicle made by American clean energy company and electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla. The Tesla Model 3 was designed and engineered to break the mold and transcend limitations putting down numbers you won’t think was possible for an EV.

Having said, the Tesla Model 3 is unlike any other electric vehicle the market has to offer. The Tesla Model 3 boasts power and performance native only to cars outfitted with combustion engines. It’s the fastest accelerating electric vehicle and can go from 0-60 in as fast as 3.2 seconds at 252-283 electric horses and maintain driving speeds of 162mph. Although electric vehicles are known to be responsive in nature, the Tesla Model 3 delivers impressive numbers beating the original Tesla Roadster which only offered a 0-60 speed of 6.5 seconds giving car buyers all the right reasons to choose the Tesla Model 3 over automotive industry staples like the Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla.

 Tesla Model 3 Exterior

Donning the iconic Tesla design, the Model 3 sports a sleek, windswept design that makes this four-door EV look as good as it performs. The tapered roofline makes for a slick shape giving the Tesla Model 3 an elegant and sophisticated road presence. At the front, the Tesla Model 3 is outfitted with an unadorned front fascia reminding rubbernecks that this electric vehicle has no need of a radiator. The smooth front extends to the sides with door handles sitting flush in the vehicle’s body and a rear-end standing relatively tall. The design language used by the Tesla Model 3 is futuristic but is surprisingly relevant to this day and age. Minimal, refined, stylish.

The Tesla Model 3 is offered in three variants; namely the standard plus, performance, and long-range AWD variants. The exterior design amongst the three variants are virtually identical with the only exception of the wheelbase as the performance variant comes only with an 18-inch aero wheel while both the standard plus and the long-range AWD variants offering an 18 and a 19-inch aero wheel.

 Tesla Model 3 Interior

What minimal features the Tesla Model 3 offered from the outside is made up for with a slew of advanced amenities it offers from the inside. The standard plus model is outfitted with a partial premium interior that comes with a 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats, power-folding heated side mirrors, an ultraviolet and infrared protection tinted glass roof, a center console with four USB ports and a dock for two smartphones plus music, and media over Bluetooth to name a few.

On the other hand, the performance and long-range AWD variants are equipped with Tesla’s premium interior that comes with the same amenities as the partial premium interior cabin spec with the addition of a few other features like LED fog lamps, interior floor mats, and a suite of premium audio utilities including 14 speakers, one subwoofer, two amps and immersive sound.

 Tesla Model 3 Battery and Performance

Here are the battery and performance specs each variant has to offer -

Specs	Standard Plus	Performance	Long Range AWD
Battery	Standard Range	Long Range	Long Range
Acceleration	5.3 seconds 0-60 mph	3.2 seconds 0-60 mph	4.4 seconds 0-60 mph
Range	250 miles	322 miles	322 miles
Onboard Charger	7.6 kW max (32A)	11.5 kW max (48A)	11.5 kW max (48A)

Q: How far can I go in a single charge?

A: You can get 250 miles without a charge with the standard plus variants while the performance and the long-range variants offer 322 miles of road time in a single charge.

 Tesla Model 3 Safety

Safety is fundamental to the Tesla Model 3. Combining aluminum and steel, its frame is reinforced to protect its driver and passengers from collision. The Tesla Model 3 is subjected to a roof-crush test and was able to withstand the weight of two full-grown African elephants sitting above it. That said, it boasts a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 Tesla Model 3 Pricing

Thinking about taking one of these EVs home? Here’s Tesla’s updated pricing.

Standard Plus	$39,990 (approx P2,032,892)
Performance	$56,990 (approx P2,897,087)
Long Range AWD	$48,990 (approx P2,490,407)

Tesla’s electric vehicles continue to reign over cars in the same segment that are outfitted with combustion engines. It’s price to performance ratio has been an appealing factor to many car enthusiasts that’s why it continues to outsell staple nameplates like the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Accord in California in 2019.