Still no ETA for Tesla Model 3 in Oz
But car configurator for Aussie Model 3s will go live soon, with first dibs for paid-up EV pre-ordersAfter another bleak earnings report, Tesla boss Elon Musk has confirmed that the Tesla Model 3 car configurator (and pricing) for Australia will finally go live "shortly thereafter" the mid-size sedan's UK release in early May.
Almost all of Tesla product scheduling comes directly from Musk's Tweets, which stated "UK Model 3 order page goes live next week, followed shortly thereafter by Japan, Australia, New Zealand & Hong Kong".
Asked if local pricing would be confirmed in May, a Tesla Australia spokesperson told carsales.com.au there was no exact date yet for the Australian Model 3 car configurator.
In a previous Tweet, Musk responded to an Aussie question on local models, stating that "Probably Australia [Model 3] builds in late May or June & start arriving in Winter".
After waiting more than three years since paying a $1500 deposit to reserve one of the first Tesla Model 3 vehicles Down Under, early Australian adopters may finally take delivery in July or August.
The first right-hand drive Model 3 deliveries will start "…hopefully in June/July" in the UK, said Musk.
Tesla Australia explained that those customers who have paid a $1500 reservation for the Model 3 will be invited to use the car configurator before the general public.
Australian pricing for the car is still not yet known but the most affordable Model 3 in the US is priced from $US35,000 ($A49,000). Tesla's local arm refused to comment on local pricing.
The $US35,000 price-tag was part of a recent price drop as the company seeks to attract a wider piece of the market, and the company has courted controversy by flip-flopping on big price rollbacks on other Tesla vehicles.
The entry-level Tesla Model 3 buys a 350km range, 210km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds – roughly the same as a mid-spec European sports sedan.
A glass roof and large touch-screen infotainment system are also standard for US buyers but again, until the local configurator comes online, it's not known what will be standard kit and what will be optional Down Under.
Tesla is also working on a battery-powered compact SUV and pick-up, the Model Y and Pick-up. The US EV brand says it also plans to have one million robo-taxis driving themselves around next year, generating money for owners when not required for travel.
Range extended Tesla Model S and Model X
In other Tesla news, the Californian car-maker has released extended-range versions of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV, increasing cruising distance by about 10 per cent.
The 2019 Tesla Model S and Model X can now travel 595km – up by around 50km – thanks to a few mechanical tweaks and improved cooling.
The company says the 100kWh lithium-ion battery remains the same, while the gearing, cooling and bearings have been changed to improve efficiency. Other changes include updates to the adaptive air suspension and up to 200kW fast-charging via V3 Superchargers (145kW with V2 units).
The new models appear to be available in Australian, given they appear in Tesla AUstralia's online car configurator.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
