5 Things The Tesla Model 3 Needs To Get Right In Order Not To Suck

All variants need impressive range

The Tesla Model 3 will come in a number of varying power outputs and battery capacities, with a top of the range dual motor option likely. The latter version will naturally have the longest range, with rumours suggesting it’ll achieve more than 300 miles from a full charge, but it’ll also be the most expensive.

If Tesla wants the Model 3 to become the car of choice for ordinary people, the base model must have an impressive range, too. It’ll never become the car that convinces Average Joe to ditch petrol if there’s still range anxiety, so anything less than 200 miles to a ‘tank’ will not be good enough.

It needs to be a head turner

The Model S’s styling isn’t the wildest thing on the market, but it looks damn handsome and turns heads even now. With the Model X also, Tesla has nailed futuristic styling that makes it clear you’re not looking at a normal car, without creating something weird and polarising.

When it comes to the Model 3, looks will arguably be even more important. The best way to tempt people away from their gas guzzling family cars is to make something they want to be seen in - I’d wager most people who don’t care about cars and simply buy them as you and I would buy white goods aren’t even aware Tesla’s revealing a new car today. Grab their interest by making something sexy, then wow them with the facts later. Make something unexciting, and nobody’s interest will be piqued.

It needs to be inexpensive

This might sound obvious, but it’s arguably the most important thing in this list. The Model 3 is the car Tesla has been working towards since it began, and is pretty much its whole reason for being. If it screws up and makes the entry level car too expensive, it will have massively jeopardised its future.

It’s not just about the bottom line price, though. For the money, the Model 3 needs to offer standard goodies and interior qualities that are at least comparable to its rivals. If you’re in the market for a base BMW 3-series, the Tesla will suddenly become a lot more appealing if it’s stacked with extras for the same price.

It needs a capable performance variant

As car enthusiasts, we obviously get excited about performance variants of cars because we like it when cars go fast. We’re simple like that. But performance variants play a much more important role than just keeping petrolheads happy, they actually make marketing the normal variants easier.

You see, if you think the Ford Focus RS is cool but can’t quite afford one, you’re more likely to go for a normal Focus because it’s sort of the same thing. They also get people into showrooms, where salesmen can do their thing.

If Tesla’s go faster Model 3 has M3 performance with the running costs of a microwave, not only will that make enthusiasts sit up and take notice, it’ll make ordinary people get excited about EVs and investigate. You might not be able to afford the dual motor model, but your base-spec car will still have crazy fun acceleration thanks to the way electric motors put power to the wheels.

No gimmicks, no delays

The Model X is a marvellous feat of engineering, but it was hugely delayed as Tesla boss Elon Musk tried too hard to make it special and unique. He’s admitted that the wicked falcon doors were perhaps an unnecessary complication, and he claims to have learned his lesson, but if he hasn’t, the general public will be less forgiving than the rich Tesla fanboys that have been buying his cars so far.

The Model 3 needs to have a simple, uncomplicated launch, with nothing too revolutionary that could scupper the proposed 2017 release date. Musk already has his hands full building his Gigafactory, which is essential if Tesla is to build enough batteries to meet demand, so another ‘falcon door moment’ would be a disaster.

The Tesla Model 3 launch event begins 31 March at 8.30pm Pacific time (1 April, 4.30am British Summer Time), so stay tuned on Car Throttle as we follow it live!