It appears that Tesla Model 3 might actually be on schedule.
It has been nearly a year since Tesla officially unveiled the first Model 3 prototype, and now CEO Elon Musk has shared a short video featuring the final version of the all-electric sedan. And in typical Musk fashion, the video was done in a tweet and unfortunately it doesn’t give us a great look at the details or changes compared to the first prototype.
What we can pick out are the addition of cameras for Autopilot, as well as some minor tweaks to the front end and headlights. It does look like the front end is more refined, almost resembling the front of a Porsche Panamera – for better or worse.
SEE ALSO: Tesla Model 3 Prototype Caught Cruising Down the Street
Tesla started production of the release candidate Model 3 sedans last week, which are units made almost entirely on the production line to test both the production process and the cars themselves. It’s likely we’ll start seeing release candidate Model 3 units testing on the roads in the coming months.
Musk also answered several questions on Twitter about Tesla models. For starters, the Tesla Model 3 won’t be available with all-wheel-drive dual motors at launch in order to minimize “configuration complexity.” So like the Model S, the Model 3 will initially only be available in rear-wheel drive.
Those anxiously waiting for a right-hand-drive version of the Model 3 will have to be more patient, as that won’t be available until summer 2018 at the earliest.
If you’re looking forward to the Model Y, that’s still “a few years away,” said Musk. The Tesla Model Y is expected to be a compact version of the Model X.
First drive of a release candidate version of Model 3 pic.twitter.com/zcs6j1YRa4
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@FredericLambert @JimPengelly No, we are minimizing configuration complexity to keep the production ramp on schedule. RWD only for early production, just like Model S.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@dr_angus Yeah, probably a year from now. S will still win on acceleration though, due to having more space for a larger battery.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@DJBurges Should be summer next year. Sorry, really wish we could get RHD done sooner. We truly are working as fast as we can.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@varunfatehpuria Oh Model Y is coming too in a few years. Kinda have to.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
