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UPDATE: Tesla Model 3: It's Electrifying!

In a surprise announcement late this week Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors 

made a splash by announcing he'll be offering online sales ONLY of the Model 3 and closing its retail stores! You'll have 1 week or 1000 miles which ever comes first to test drive the car. If you hate it you can walk away no questions asked with a full refund. 

Musk has found a way to cut costs and offer its entry model at an affordable 35k with delivery in 2 to 4 weeks.  The already lower optioned car is losing the maps feature upgradeable for an extra fee.

The lower cost, mass production, all electric vehicle went on sale starting at an affordable $35,000. Orders are expected to be filled in about 15-18 months which apparently has lead some 60,000 people to cancel their orders!

As a base mode,  its features, while modest compared to the many upgrades available, still offer a clean and appealing package.  Some of these include:

onboard maps and navigation, Wi-Fi and LTE internet, connectivityKeyless entry and remote climate control using the Tesla appVoice to name a few. The interior is best described as minimalist but not in cheap, low end sort of way. As seen below, it appears well crafted and stylishly uncluttered.

Interior dash of Tesla's Model 3

"Wired" put together a nice video of Tesla's electric car history including Model 3:

 The standard battery range is 220 miles. At home, it will charge at a rate of 30 miles of range per hour. The model 3 has respectable acceleration going from

0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. It's quite an attractive vehicle.

While Model 3's appeal is undeniable, Tesla has some hurdles to clear in order to meet demand of 500 k cars. Its factory will be manufacturing 3 different models simultaneously for the first time.  This can prove to be a logistical nightmare especially since parts for the Model 3 are mainly foreign. Additionally, its workers are among the highest injured in the entire industry. They are also the lowest paid of all U.S. auto makers and that could brew a labor dispute in the coming months. These are all interesting speed bumps on the road to full speed production. Only time will tell if the sun will set on a man driven by battery power alone. 

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