I have just driven a 2018 Tesla Model 3, and I am now a believer.
Car manufacturers are notorious for hyping their cars. I can’t count how many times the public has been whipped up about an upcoming car, only to be disappointed when the final product actually hits the ground.
So when I was offered an opportunity to drive the much-anticipated Tesla 3, I was guarded because I did not want to be disappointed.
The hype behind the Model 3 started in 2016, when the car was announced. Within a week, Tesla reported they had received 325,000 reservations. By August 2017, there were 455,000 on the list, including a number from Canada.
Tesla delivered its first cars in the U.S. in July. Deliveries to Canada are expected to begin in the second half of this year, with some people receiving a September-to-November estimate.
My tester was rented from an owner in California by the Victoria EV Club and Lisa and James Locke, who graciously allowed me a few hours with the car.
There is no official price in Canada yet. The Canadian Tesla website states the cars start at $35,000 US. The Model 3 can be equipped with a standard battery with a 350-kilometre range, or an extended-range model available that can travel 500 kilometres. I drove the long-range model (which is as yet unpriced).
Tesla also states that the Model 3 has self-driving hardware already incorporated in the car. It is currently disabled, but could be enabled in the future.
The Model 3 is a mid-sized four-door sedan — about the same size as a BMW 3-Series or Audi A4. While we don’t have an exact price, it will likely fall in the $42,000 to $45,000 range — about the same price for the traditional, gas-powered German competition.
But the Tesla is not about tradition. First off, there is no key in the conventional sense. Instead you get a credit-card sized key that you pass by a sensor on the door frame to unlock the doors and a sensor by the vehicle cupholders to start the car.
If minimalism is your bent, the Model 3 is your car.
Inside, you wouldn’t immediately think of an automotive interior if it weren’t for the steering wheel. A sweeping band of faux wood spans the cabin directly in front. The only instrument — if you can call it that — is a 15-inch central touchscreen at the centre of the dash.
In a nod toward convention, there is a gear selector on the right and turn signals to the left of the steering wheel. There are two rotary knobs on the steering wheel itself, one for the audio volume, the other can be driver-customized.
The central touchscreen, which looks like an oversized iPad stuck on the centre console, displays all the vehicle information.
The left third of the screen displays the speedometer, direction of travel (there are no gears to call it a gear selector) and various malfunction indicators. The other two-thirds of the screen is whatever you wish it to be — navigation, audio or sundry controls and menus. There are no buttons or knobs.
Under the hood there is — a trunk. Open the rear and there is — another trunk. No need to pack light when travelling with the Model 3, it seems. The backs of the rear seats fold 60/40, to expand the 425-litre capacity in the rear trunk.
Somewhere under the rear trunk lies an electric motor producing 306 horsepower and 415 foot-pounds of torque. That’s a healthy amount of power. The BMW and Audi need to be equipped with their optional turbocharged six-cylinder engines to out-accelerate the base Tesla. Tesla quotes a zero-to-102 km/h sprint at between 5.1 and 5.5 seconds.
While Tesla makes no claims the Model 3 is a performance car, a healthy stomp on the accelerator (no more gas pedal) pushes you firmly into the driver’s seat, instantly and at any speed (at least the speeds I was prepared to drive the car). Top speed is a claimed 209 km/h.
The rear-wheel-drive car (all-wheel drive is expected to be offered soon) handles very well. It lacks the precision and the feel of the current crop of premium sports sedans, but that’s a high bar for any competitor, let alone a all-new entrant.
With a low centre of gravity and a compliant suspension, the Model 3 was a hoot to drive on back roads.
A word of warning: Remember to check the speedometer frequently at first. Without all the noise of a internal-combustion engine, I found I was exceeding the speed limit a number of times.
You can select Comfort, Standard and Sport settings, with noticeable differences in effort between them. I drove mostly in the Comfort setting. You can also select the amount of regeneration the car will apply once you take your foot off the accelerator.
Given that this was one of just 1,700 cars produced since last July, the car feels well put together. With the recent rains and a recent road trip from California, I was unable to examine it for fit and finish. The rest of the car felt solid and free of creaks or rattles.
With room for five adults and all their gear, the Tesla Model 3 is a piece of engineering and technology that is the right place at the right time.
With a 300- to 500-kilometre range, the term “range anxiety” will soon only apply to electric vehicles other than the Tesla and the Chevrolet Bolt.
It has been (and continues to be for Canadian customers) a wait to finally find the Model 3 on the road. I can only say I am envious of those who put their faith in the car more than two years ago.
Those early adopters bought a car, sight unseen, to cut their umbilical cord to fossil fuel. Who knew that it would turn out to be an enthusiast’s car as well?
The car can be seen:
* At the Victoria Royals’ Eco Night hockey game (admission ticket required) on Friday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
* At the Hillside Shopping Centre parking lot next to the Sears building, Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. There will also include a variety of other electric vehicle makes and models that are primarily owned by Victoria residents who will be on hand to share their experience with electric vehicles. For more information, call Jim Henshaw, 250-813-2218.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Mid-sized battery electric vehicle, rear engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: Electric motor, 306 hp (228 kW), 415 lb.-ft. of torque
Battery: 50 kWh lithium ion
Range: Approx. 350 km
Transmission: One speed
Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,694; width, 2,088; height, 1,443; wheelbase, 2,875
Curb weight (kg): 1,610
Price (base/as tested): Est. $42,000 to $45,000, less $5,000 B.C. clean car incentive (12 to 18 month delivery)
Options: Nil
Tires: 225/45 R18 on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Electricity
Fuel economy (litres equivalent/100km): 2.2 city/ 2.1 highway
