First Tesla Model 3’s Handed Over In Live Streaming Party

We’ve been waiting and waiting for Tesla to finally begin deliveries of the new Model 3, and now, the wait is over. The first 30 Model 3’s destined for private owners just got handed over to their beaming owners in a live stream broadcast on Tesla’s website. Attending the event were swarms of the automaker’s designers and engineers, with quick back and forth tosses that provided a look inside the Tesla assembly line in Fremont, CA, as well as the newly erected “Gigafactory” in Nevada. The event also provided some hard specs on the new 3, plus a look at the final exterior design and the interior.

The Model 3 is a hugely important vehicle, both for Tesla and EV fans in general. Framed as the California-based automaker’s first entry-level, mass-market, affordable vehicle, the 3 promises sexy styling, long range, peppy performance, and zero local emissions, all for around $35,000 before incentives. We’ve got the lowdown on everything that was revealed during the stream, plus lots of new pics to sort through, so read on.

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It Looks Good On The Outside

First off, we think the 3 is a snappy looking automobile. It’s got the same general styling as the Model S, with a low stance, gently curving lines, and sleek features. The roofline on the 3, however, looks particularly broad and long, which should provide occupants with a good deal of headroom without sacrificing too much in the aerodynamic drag department. Indeed, with a drag coefficient of just 0.23, the Model 3 is quite slippery.

In terms of styling options, six paint options are on the table, with wheel sizing ranging between 18 and 19 inches.

Oh My God Becky, Look At That Screen

Tonight, we got a closer look at the 3’s interior, and the first thing to jump out is the central infotainment screen. Basically, it looks like Tesla took a desktop computer monitor and glued it to the dash – this thing is huge, and although Tesla says it’s about 15 inches, it looks even bigger to us.

The rest of the interior looks simple and uncluttered, with lots of straight, horizontal lines, minus the usual buttons and trim embellishments that are so common these days. Seating is maxed out at five passengers. In back is a large glass canopy that is intended to enhance a feeling of airiness inside, and was one of the most difficult engineering aspects of the 3, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

What’s more, Musk reiterated that every Model 3 (and indeed, every Tesla currently in production) comes equipped with all the hardware needed for full autonomous capability, that is, no human driver. That means the 3 gets stuff like cameras, radar systems, ultrasonic sensors, and the like, and presumably, all it’ll take is a software update to go full robo chauffeur.

And while the safety of such systems is still in debate, Tesla is adamant that the Model 3 will be the safest vehicle in the world, even comparing it to the Volvo S60 in a dramatic crash test video.

Okay, Fine, But What About The Important Specs?

For now, the Model 3 is offered in the trim levels – the Standard Model 3 and the Long Range Model 3.

The Standard trim level will go 220 miles per charge, hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 130 top speed. Pricing slots in at $35,000 before incentives.

Then we have the Long Range, which will go 310 miles between plug-ins, hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and top out at 140 mph. Pricing looks like $44,000 before incentives.

Tesla Is Expanding, Both It’s Supercharger Network And It’s Production Capacity

Elon Musk acknowledged the fact that demand for the Model 3 far outstrips supply. Tesla’s biggest challenge now is ramping up production to fill those hundreds of thousands of preorders, with Musk alluding to a looming “production hell” for “at least six months, maybe longer.”

The goals, while lofty, are straight forward. Tesla has roughly 500,000 Model 3’s slated for production at the moment, in addition to about 100,000 Model S and Model X units. That means a huge boost in production in the hopes of reaching

5,000 cars per week in the near future and 10,000 cars a week by next year.

That’s good news for the approximately 400,000 eager buyers who plunked down a $1,000 deposit at the first Model 3 reveal. New orders should expect their Model 3 in about a year’s time.

What’s more, Musk says Tesla will triple the number of superchargers in service over the course of the next year, even promising owners will be able to go “almost anywhere” in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia very soon.

We’ll update our full written review next week, but in the meantime, what do you think? Does the Model 3 live up to the hype? Let us know in the comments.