autoevolution
 

Elon Musk’s Tesla Model 3 Is The First Production-spec Example Of The Breed

For once, Elon Musk kept his promise and delivered on what the skeptics thought that he would fail to do. The first production-spec Model 3 has rolled off the assembly line in Fremont, California, with the head honcho of the manufacturer confirming that he’s the owner of the electric sedan.
First production-ready Tesla Model 3 (owned by Elon Musk) 3 photos
Photo: Elon Musk on Twitter
First production-ready Tesla Model 3 (owned by Elon Musk)First production-ready Tesla Model 3 (owned by Elon Musk)
A black-painted example equipped with neat-looking alloy wheels, the Model 3 in question is referred to as “SN1” (i.e. serial number 1). But as it happens, the car was originally reserved by Tesla board member Ira Ehrenpreis. The question is, how did Ira’s car become Elon’s pride and joy?

Through Twitter, chief executive officer Elon Musk explains that Ira was the first to place a full deposit on the Model 3, so he had the rights to SN1. Bearing in mind Musk turned 46 years old last month, Ira thought that it would be a nice idea to give up his reservation as a belated birthday present.

Elon, in response to a follower on Twitter, then opens up on other Tesla SN1 models he owns. And funnily enough, the Musk Man has the keys to the first-ever Roadster and Model X, though not the first Tesla Model S.

Despite the fact production has started, the Tesla website doesn’t list the juicy details and configuration options for the Model 3 we’ve been all expecting for a long while now. It’s best to wait out until July 28, the day the EV-maker will hold a grand handover party for the first 30 Model 3 vehicles.

Musk expects Tesla to be able to manufacture approximately 100 units of the newcomer in August, with production expected to ramp up to more than 1,500 in September. By year’s end, Model 3 production should hit 20,000 vehicles per month. On that note, the automaker's website continues to list the all-new Model 3 as a $35,000 vehicle before government grant and incentives, with a range of more than 215 miles per charge.

 

The first Model 3 production car

A post shared by Tesla (@teslamotors) on Jul 8, 2017 at 9:58pm PDT

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories