As the Model 3 enters what Musk called “six months of manufacturing hell” as Tesla ramps up production to meet the more than 500,000 pre-orders, one of the most surprising titbits is that there is no traditional key to open and start Tesla’s mass-market electric car hope.
Instead, would-be buyers of the $35,000-plus five-seat electric car will have to unlock the car with their smartphones over Bluetooth. The car will detect the owner’s smartphone – almost all modern smartphones made in the last three years supports Bluetooth – and automatically unlock, ready to start and go.
Should the battery on your phone run flat, which is a very real possibility in the days of increased use for everything from music, cameras and now keys, Tesla has a backup in the form of an NFC key card that is apparently thin enough to store in a wallet.
Press the card against the car’s B-pillar to unlock it and place it between the seats on a special spot to be able to start the car. It’s designed for valet use, but should be good to get into the car and at least charge your phone so you can properly unlock the Model 3 and go.
The Model 3 is also packed with more features that make it so special and unique among other luxurious cars.
1. Two battery versions
The Model 3 will come in two versions. The $35,000 base model has a battery with a 220-mile range, does 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 130mph. It can be “supercharged” to 130 miles of range in 30 minutes and charges at a rate of 30 miles per hour via a 240V, 32A home charger.
The range-extended version, which costs $44,000, will travel up to 310 miles per charge, reaches 60mph in 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. It will reach a charge of 170 miles in 30 minutes attached to a supercharger, and charges at a rate of 37 miles per hour with a 240V, 40A home charger.
The more expensive Model 3 with the longer range is currently being produced, with the cheaper version to be produced at a later date. A high-performance version of the Model 3 will also be available sometime in the middle of next year, according to Musk.
2. There are no instruments, just a 15in touchscreen in the middle
3. There’s a luxury pack option
But Tesla offers a $5,000 “Premium Upgrade Package” that adds upgraded cabin materials such as wood, heated seats, power adjusted seats and steering column, a tinted glass roof, heated and power-folding wing mirrors, LED fog lights, a subwoofer and upgraded audio, plus two more USB ports in the rear.
With four USB ports and a battery the size of a car, the Model 3 could be the biggest backup smartphone charger ever produced.
4. Enhanced Autopilot
To enable Enhanced Autopilot, owners will have to buy a $5,000 upgrade, enabling traffic speed matching, lane guidance, automatic lane switching and self-parking abilities, including Tesla’s “summon”, which has the car drive out of a parking space or garage to your side by itself.
5. Full self-driving
Tesla is in the process of developing a fully autonomous system for its cars, which uses the equipment from the Enhanced Autopilot system. While the system isn’t ready, and won’t be legal to use in the UK and US until the appropriate legislation is passed, an upgrade to fully autonomous driving will cost just $3,000 on top of the Enhanced Autopilot upgrad
6. Black as standard colour
The Model 3 comes in black, but if you want it in metallic silver, blue, a slate grey (midnight silver), white or red, it’ll cost $1,000 more. The car comes with 18in alloys as standard, but 19in sport alloys can be added for $1,500 more.
7. You can sleep in it
What do you have to say on this luxurious self-driving electric car? Kindly use the comment box below.
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