The Story of the Tesla Model 3, and Why It's Special. #blogpost by BoaBlogs

I can still remember the day my neighbors purchased and received their brand new Tesla Model S 85D. I was sitting on the curb with one of my neighborhood buddies, as I saw the vehicle’s headlights peer over the hill in which it was coming down, whirring mysteriously along the pavement. Before that moment, I’ve never fully conceptualized the idea of an all-electric car. Yes, it has been done previously, but Tesla’s odd ways add a sense of quirk and zing that cannot be replicated with any other vehicle. All other electric vehicles (i.e. Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Chevy Volt, etc.) had lesser material quality, a longer charge time, with shorter electric ranges. The first quirk I noticed about the Model S was the ingenuity integrated throughout the vehicle. The interior, complete with a giant touchscreen, wood trim, leather seats, futuristic and sleek overall interior design, along with most everything else that would make an S-Class Merc piss its pants. This overall indulgence in quality, engineering, and materials, in each current Tesla Model is what I believe is going to give the Model 3 a loss in such zing that makes a Tesla, a Tesla.

Everyone was buzzing with excitement when Tesla stated that they were going to release a new flagship vehicle to the public. By then, the extra-quirky Model X SUV was a brand spanking new car, suited and only afforded by the Uber-rich (along with the Model S which were saturated with all of the materials and ‘zinginess’ as stated above). Tesla is already a very large and in-futile corporation, proving to society their shrewd intelligence and marvelous engineering. Both current Tesla models are only affordable for the upper classes, meaning that they may be able to expand their market to the lower two classes. So, Tesla stood out and proved they were not a dog to mess with. They had the know-how and technology. And they sure as hell have the funds to do so. Designs were made, meetings were had, and conceived was the Tesla Model 3. Base price of $35,000, max electric range of 215 miles. This type of thing is revolutionary in the electric car market - Most electric vehicles at this time couldn’t achieve half of the electric range of the Tesla (costing less as well!). Tesla had a knife up to each and every one of their competitors necks, ready to slice as soon as they made a single move. As said by Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman, said making a statement about 80’s Japanese family cars to 80’s Italian supercars, “The Japanese kept the Italians up all night with the cold sweats, because they knew what the Italians didn’t; how to make cars that didn’t break.” The same exact thing goes with Tesla and other electric vehicle competitors, except with the idea that Tesla is more technologically advanced than other competitors.

"The Japanese kept the Italians up all night with the cold sweats, because they knew what the Italians didn’t; how to make cars that didn’t break." -Jonny Lieberman

So, the predicament. As stated previously, Tesla has a special zing that other electric cars don’t have. I can’t pinpoint exactly what that zing is caused by, but I know that it is along the lines of exceptional build and material quality, along with a Countach-esque feeling. The Lamborghini Countach was a bedroom wall poster car; every kid adored it. Now, all those 80’s kids are adults (some of which are able to afford Countachs (is that the plural of Coutach??)), yet being able to afford a Tesla), and that giddy-ness achieved with looking at a poster of a Countach is now achieved with the invigorating touch of Tesla. The Model 3 will be the cheapest of Tesla’s ever sold, with a starting price of about $35,000 USD. This low price is EXACTLY half of the bottom-base price of the Model S ($70,000 USD). Cutting cost in half for the same amount of car is very hard in Tesla’s case, for about half of Tesla’s known zing comes from the extensive and immense utilization of technology and materials. To relate to a Motor Trend video hosted by the scrupulous Jason Cammisa; The BMW M2 is an incredibly driving car, and is all around pure greatness. Comparing to the E92 M3, though, you’ll see that the M3 is trimmed and outfitted with carbon fiber, leather/alcantara seats, and wood trim. On the other hand, the M2 is ‘fitted’ exclusively with molded plastic, and cloth seats. Almost completely losing it’s sense of inginuity zing. Sound familiar? In this case, the M3 represents the Model S. Executive, sleek, with the special zing.Meaning, that the poorer quality M2 would be relatable to the Model 3 in the sense that it will lose most it’s zing. It is very clear that Tesla would most likely have to downgrade on the quality of the materials. Just as it is in the M2’s case, Tesla would have to sacrifice wood and polished aluminum, for plastic bits and faux leather.

Tesla has been changing the game ever since its start in 2003. I reminisce back to a day when Tesla’s were rarities, and it was an occasion just to see one drive by, hearing nothing but the tires and a subtle whirring noise as its menacing taillights passed by. Now, they’re everywhere, especially in upper class towns or cities. And now, because of the company’s smarts, they’ll be even more abundant than they already are. The day I first sat in the Tesla Model S 85D, the Countache feeling touched my heart. I felt inside me something big - very big. I felt the feeling that this is revolutionary, and that no change in materials or quality of materials would hinder such feeling. I knew inside my heart that this electric car, was more than just any plain old electric car. It was pure zing.

Boa Out.