The Tesla Model 3 is now on sale in Britain, completing its presence in Western Europe’s key markets with right-hand drive versions
Nobody is surprised that Tesla, despite being the new kid on the block, has been an attractive purchase for first electric car adopters. After all, its technology is much admired as being ahead of the pack, and there is so far not much competition. But the fact that it has also been stealing sales from Germany’s much admired compact and internal combustion engined hot-rod sedans like the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class will be a cause for concern at various corporate headquarters.
I’ve just been driving the top of the range Model 3, which is slightly more expensive in Britain than the hottest BMW 3-series at close to 50,000 pounds after tax , but its performance just blows away the German competition. The Performance version blasts from zero to 60 mph in a heart-stopping 3.2 seconds and Tesla claims it will zoom on to 162 mph on unrestricted German autobahns. This version has two electric motors and four-wheel drive. The range claim is 329 miles.
This Performance version hugs the road like a Mini, and steers like a high-octane machine. The ride is smooth and exemplary. The interior quality was top notch. Some buyers will want the full sound track that only an ICE machine can provide, so the eery silence of the Model 3 won’t be for them. It shouldn’t be beyond the power of some entrepreneur though to supply Model 3 owners with the full V8 rumble and whine sound track.
Munoz said competition will tighten next year, as more manufacturers introduce electric cars. The Model 3 is also competing in a sector, sedans, which are losing out to SUVs. Analyst Schmidt agrees that the Model 3 has been successful, but points out sales hadn’t met some more extravagant predictions.
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