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Tesla Model 3 Configurator Lists Performance at $78,000, Topping at $86,000

The introduction of dual-motor and Performance options for the Model 3 saw Tesla update the configurator of its smallest passenger car yet, but the emphasis is on pricing. Be it the Standard Battery (starting at $35,000) or Long Range ($44,000), ticking the dual-motor box off the list translates to an additional $5,000.
Tesla Model 3 configurator 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from YouTube
The Performance, meanwhile, comes with all-wheel-drive as standard, but costs a mind-boggling $78,000 from the get-go. With a top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 km/h) and an acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, you could even say the Performance is money well spent, more so if you consider the EPA-estimated range of 310 miles (499 kilometers) on a full charge.

20-inch sport wheels, a carbon-fiber spoiler due to be installed after delivery, and the choice of white- or black-finished interior are included in the price. What’s not are the Enhanced Autopilot ($5,000) and Full Self-Driving Capability ($3,000; not operational at the present moment), hiking the price up to an eye-watering $86,000.

And Tesla won’t be stopping here. Wine-like red interior upholstery will be added to the options list in 2019, and so will the Smart Air Suspension. An automatic power liftgate is also expected, though it will be some time until the Palo Alto-based automaker will bring these features to the Model 3.

Tesla decided to minimize the complexity of the first Model 3 examples to work through the aggressive production targets that Elon Musk keeps on missing again and again. The automaker has exceeded 2,000 cars per week, topping out at 2,270 per week in April 2018. On the other hand, there’s still a lot to be done to and on the assembly line in Fremont, California for Tesla to hit 10,000 vehicles weekly.

After hitting that target, Tesla could drop the price of the Model 3 to $28,000 from today’s $35,000. When asked about this possibility on Twitter by Fred Lambert on May 31st, 2018, Elon Musk replied with one word: “Definitely.”


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About the author: Mircea Panait
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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.
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