Tesla Model 3 to make European debut at 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Production back on track, says Tesla
THE NEW Tesla Model 3 will make its European and UK debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month, the company has confirmed.
The BMW 3-series-rivalling pure-electric car will be appearing in US spec and only on static display, meaning it won’t be driven up the famous hillclimb course. But its presence on the Tesla stand will give reservation holders, the general public — and many journalists — their first chance to examine a US-spec Model 3 up close ahead of its scheduled arrival in Europe in 2019.
It will appear on the stand alongside the larger Model S saloon, Model X SUV and Tesla’s home charging Powerwall.
After delays due to what boss Elon Musk called “production hell“, Model 3s are now rolling off the line at a rate of 5,000 cars a week. The milestone was hit last week, just meeting Tesla’s own quota target for the end of the second quarter, 2018.
Deliveries are now predicted to arrive 12-18 months after orders are placed, although only left-hand-drive cars are currently in production, with RHD versions expected to start rolling off the line next year. UK deliveries may begin in 2019 but a spokesperson was unable to deny the prospect of it rolling into 2020.
The $35,000 (£26,500) Model 3 received more than 400,000 reservations in the US.
The car is claimed to be capable of covering 310 miles on a single charge, according to official tests carried out by the American Environmental Protection Agency.
This figure applies to the Long Range variant; the car is available with 50kWh or 75kWh batteries.
The 50kWh model has a claimed range of 220 miles, hits 0-60mph in 5.6sec and has a top speed of 130mph. The 75kWh model costs from $44,000 (£33,400), can do 0-60mph in 5.1sec and has a 140mph top speed.
In the UK, the entry-level price is expected to be around £30,000 after the £4,500 government grant for zero-emissions vehicles is applied.
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