So, July 28th is fast approaching, and that means that the production version of the Tesla Model 3 is just about ready to make its debut at the official handover event. The first 30 production units are expected to be given to customers during the handover event, and that’s a pretty big deal considering the model with serial No. 001 is said to have rolled off the line as early as July 7th. Following the announcement that serial No. 1 was near completion, Elon Musk also sent out a few tweets claiming that production will ramp up quite quickly, with the month of August increasing to 100 cars, and September raising to bar to “above 1,500.” He later tweeted that Tesla will be able to pump out 20,000 example per month by the time December rolls around. Furthermore, 2019 should approach somewhere around a half million units annually. This is all good news for anyone who has made a reservation and is serious about buying a Model 3, especially when you consider that reservation numbers could have topped 500,000 already. But is there more that we haven’t seen yet?

With the official unveiling of the Model 3 taking place in March of last year, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Plus, we’ve seen numerous release candidates and prototypes floating around in recent months, but word has it that there could be something else on the books for the unveiling. The question is what? Will there be some spectacular new hardware that we have yet to see or some advancement in the AutoPilot system? Will the Model 3 get something else that we’re just not expecting? It’s really hard to say, but the internet has been running wild with hopes and dreams despite the fact that initial models will be very bland, with customers only allowed to choose the exterior color and wheel options.

Keep reading to learn more about it and what to expect.

Will the Model 3 Take Tesla to the Next Level?


One of the reasons the Model 3 is still on track and production examples already rolling off the line is because Musk imposed that customization limit on initial models. When the Model S and Model X were underway, customers were allowed to pick from a number of options, and even Musk himself admitted that it was very foolish. After all, it complicated things dramatically and led to some serious waiting periods. So news that initial customers would have very limited choices for personalization is just proof that wonder boy himself can learn from his mistakes. Here’s the thing, though. Musk is very confident about the Model 3 and has even said that you won’t be able to buy a better car for the price, even without options. Based on the spartan interior design that we’ve seen so far, that’s pretty hard to imagine and points to the fact that there may be something special coming to us at the unveiling.

Most recent interior shot of 2018 Tesla Model 3


Considering the low price point of the Model 3, don’t expect any extra technology – things like a HUD are undoubtedly left out, with the main tablet-like display performing all necessary interior functions. With this in mind, it’s most likely that we’ll see some kind of advancement in the AutoPilot system, and perhaps a new demonstration of this next-level functionality. After all, Tesla is pretty much banking on the fact that customers will opt for the advanced AutoPilot packages to help cover the costs of hardware being built into every Model 3.

It wasn’t as big of a deal with the Model S and Model X because of their higher price point, but the Model 3 could end up with a very low, or even negative profit margin if those advanced self-driving features aren’t ordered. It’s a risking move to include all of the expensive hardware as default, but in order for all models to have the same standard safety features – like automatic emergency braking – it was a necessary evil. With that in mind, we expect Musk to show up some new kind of capability to really help push the advanced packages.

If the brand is able to offer up something more advanced along with the Model 3, it will certainly push customers to start selecting option boxes in the future. And, with Tesla capable of producing the Model 3 in mass quantities, it could really be a game changer for the brand. The lower price point means just about anyone can afford to step into a Tesla, and by selling 10 times the number of vehicles it does now thanks to the Model 3, it could very well be the future of the company.

In the end, and at the very least, we should get a decent list of specifications at official handover party, which means we’ll finally get the fix that we’ve been looking for.

Some Other Surprise?

2020 Tesla Model Y Rendering

Official Model Y Teaser


There’s so much hype and so many expectations being generated by the Model 3 that there are a few things that everyone has seemly forgotten about. First off, what about the Model Y – the vehicle that will complete the S3XY lineup? We’ve already (sort of) received confirmation that it’s coming thanks to a single teaser image that was released not that long ago. Is it possible that Musk could be pulling double duty at the Model 3 handoff party and show us an early prototype of the Model Y? Nothing is really out of the question, and we know the man likes to work fast, so it’s a possibility. It might not be the greatest possibility in the world, but he’s certainly surprised us before.

And, there’s another potential surprise as well.


Have you thought about the successor to the Tesla Roadster? Elon Musk Confirmed it at the turn of 2017, and from what we’ve heard it will roll on the same chassis as the Model 3. That little tidbit of information alone is enough to make it a potential surprise when the handover event kicks off this week. Of course, the Roadster wasn’t part of Musk’s master plan part 2, but rumors have slated it for a 2019 debut, so an early prototype or even news that it is in the works isn’t out of the question. Essentially, it should be a combination of the Model 3 and Model S.

In comparison to the Model S, it will have a shorter wheelbase and will sit lower. The Roadster 3.0 saw an update that gave the car a range of around 400 miles under ideal conditions, so the next-gen Roadster could offer up a huge range in a very stylish package. For now, that’s all a big pipe dream, as the Model Y seems to be slated for a debut first thanks to that first teaser, but you never know – Elon Musk is a very ambitious man.

What do you think? Will there be a big surprise for us on Friday at the handover event, or is it all just unjustified hype? Let us know in the comments section below.

References

Read our review of the 2018 Tesla Model 3

Read our speculative review on the 2020 Telsa Model Y

Read our speculative review on the 2020 Tesla Roadster

Read our review on the 2017 Tesla Model S