New Tesla Model 3 review

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29 Jul, 2017 7:00am

We take a short first drive in the new Tesla Model 3. Is this the game-changing electric car Tesla thinks it is?

It’s a marketer’s dream — the amount of hype behind the all-new Tesla Model 3. And, it has all been achieved with zero marketing spend from Tesla, the company run by billionaire Elon Musk.

So, has all the hype been worth it? Today we had the chance to have a brief drive in Tesla’s most important car around the company’s factory in Fremont, California.

• Tesla Model 3: everything you need to know

With over 500,000 pre-orders globally, Tesla announced that pricing will kick off from $35,000 - UK pricing is expected to follow shortly. According to Musk, Tesla won’t add additional costs for exports, meaning the price should convert evenly once Tesla begins manufacturing right-hand drive vehicles from the beginning of 2019.

Launched with a single variant capable of driving 220 miles, a longer-range battery can be ordered to increase range to 310 miles. 0-60mph acceleration is rated at 5.6 and 5.1 seconds respectively for the 220 mile and 310 mile versions.

From the outside, it’s not hard to see the design correlation between the Model 3, Model S and Model X. The curvy body takes advantage of closed cooling holes at the front, which allow it to achieve a coefficient of drag of just .23. 

Measuring in at 4,694mm long, the Model 3 is slightly longer than a BMW 3 Series and slightly wider at 1,849mm. Surprisingly, it’s light, tipping the scales at a curb weight of 1,610kg.

Lost your keys? Nothing to worry about. The Model 3 is one of the only cars in the world that doesn’t need a key for entry, instead using your phone’s Bluetooth function, or an RFID key in the shape of a credit card — an actual credit card, not the massive Renault credit card-sized key.

Inside the cabin, Tesla has run with a minimalist design that employs a 15-inch colour touchscreen in the centre of the cabin. It’s an important screen because it controls everything, and we mean everything. 

• Best electric cars on sale 2017

Mirror, steering tilt and telescopic adjustment, infotainment, climate, charging and cargo controls are all actioned using the touchscreen. Even the open, close and direction changes of the air vents run through the central screen. 

It’s an incredibly elegant cabin with rough-grained wood adorning the dashboard. Minimalism is key with two distinct storage areas in the centre console, plus a glove box.

Keeping with the theme of minimalism, door handles have been switched for door-mounted buttons, while the doors are opened from the outside using a push and pull mechanism — like in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Rear leg room is good, but distinctly smaller than the Model S and X. Rear seat passengers get their own air vents, plus an additional two USB ports. If you carry kids, you’ll be thankful for two child seat anchorage points. The 60/40 split-folding second row also folds flat to increase cargo volume.

Total cargo volume is 423 litres, with a large hold available beneath the boot floor, plus a reasonable sized front boot that Tesla aficionados love referring to as a ‘frunk’.

Thankfully the electric car driving experience remains, despite the cut-price price tag. Our drive was only brief, but we had the chance to get immersed in the experience. Hit the throttle at any speed and you’re pinned to the seat. Model 3 launches with rear-wheel drive only, but we didn’t find any traction issues with this level of power. 

Steering feel is great and can be adjusted through three levels – comfort, standard and sport. There’s enough feedback in each level to make driving the car easy. The ride is also good, despite the Model 3 not being offered with air suspension.

While it took a little while to get used to, the containment of speedometer and trip functions to the centre screen worked well. In the top left corner of the screen, speed and AutoPilot information is displayed and remains static while driving. 

Tesla expects the Model 3 to achieve a high crash rating, with six airbags up front and two curtain airbags to keep occupants safe. The Model 3 will come with a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty for the vehicle and an eight-year 100,000 mile warranty for battery components.

Production of the Tesla Model 3 begins immediately, but whether the company can produce over 500,000 cars per annum remains yet to be seen. So, if you’re thinking about pre-ordering, get in sooner rather than later.

This was only a quick drive of the Tesla Model 3 around Tesla’s chosen Fremont factory roads. Expect to see a proper drive when we get our hands on the car locally.

Paul Maric is an Australian motoring journalist from CarAdvice.com. Paul Maric is on Twitter

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While this was only a quick drive, the Tesla Model 3 has assembled a comprehensive package that’s both affordable and well equipped. If Tesla can manage to produce this volume of vehicles, it may have a world dominating electric vehicle on its hands, but that all remains to be seen.

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Borgward teases new concept car for Frankfurt Motor Show

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Re-born brand teases smooth coupe concept for September reveal at Frankfurt

2017-07-28 16:22

Borgward is planning to debut a new car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and has teased its upcoming creation ahead of its full unmasking in September. 

The re-born German manufacturer only has a presence on the Chinese market for now, but will re-launch in Europe next year with the BX7 SUV. That car was revealed two years ago at the Frankfurt show after news of Borgward's return surfaced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

• Frankfurt Motor Show 2017 preview

The single teaser image gives little away but it’s clear that the vehicle coming to Frankfurt will be a low-slung concept car. It could preview a future Borgward halo model, such as a new sports car or coupe.

On return to the industry in 2015 with the debut of the BX7, Borgward spelt out an ambitious growth plan. The firm is targeting 800,000 sales globally by 2020, though any sports car won’t play a major role in the firm’s growth plan – Crossovers and SUVs are how the firm plans to grow.

A smaller BX5 SUV is also on sale in China, and an entry level BX3 has been spied testing by Chinese auto media. These models are a far cry from the large, European saloons and coupes produced by the marque before its 1961 bankruptcy, so a smooth coupe concept will likely use the firm’s traditional image as inspiration.

Will Borgward come back with a bang in Europe? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

James Brodie

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22,000 diesel Porsche Cayennes recalled due to emissions ‘defeat devices’

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German authorities ask Porsche to recall 22,000 Cayenne SUVs in Europe after discovering what are believed to be illegal 'defeat devices'

2017-07-28 12:25

German authorities have found an emissions ‘defeat device’ in the Porsche Cayenne, leading to a recall of 22,000 cars. The model affected is the 3.0-litre turbodiesel that is still in production and available in the UK.

The German transport minister, Alexander Dobrindt said authorities will order Porsche to issue an obligatory recall for 22,000 Cayennes registered across Europe. Though 7,500 of these cars have been confirmed to be registered in Germany, UK figures have yet to be published.

• VW emissions scandal: latest news

The device was found after tests carried out by transport authorities in Germany. A ‘warm-up strategy’ is triggered when cars are being tested which limits emissions of nitrogen oxide. Emissions are much higher when the car is on the road.

Dobrindt said: “There is no explanation as to why this software is in this car.” The minister went on to explain that because the Cayenne comes with a modern emissions system that's capable of meeting the emissions standards, Porsche should be able to produce a modified software system quickly.

Talks with the manufacturer also raised suspicions there may be similar software in a Volkswagen Touareg three-litre diesel, but authorities have yet to carry out tests on it.

VW's 3.0-litre diesel unit was found to violate US emissions standards earlier last year, with the VW Group ordered to either fix or pay owners of the 80,000 vehicles compensation. 

What do you think of Porsche's potential involvement in emissions manipulation? Tell us in the comments blow... 

Michael Cox

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Electrified Maseratis from 2019 to lead FCA electrification push

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FCA to unleash EV and hybrid plot over the next five years, with Maserati to become electrification halo brand

2017-07-28 11:15

Fiat Chrysler [FCA] CEO Sergio Marchionne has laid out an electric future for Maserati during an earnings call with investors, revealing that all cars made under the Maserati brand from 2019 onwards will be electrified in some way.

It’s somewhat similar to a position set out by Volvo earlier this month – the Swedish manufacturer has also confirmed plans to offer only hybrid and all electric vehicles from 2019 onwards, with five new all-electric cars planned by 2025.

• Could you live with an electric car? The pros and cons explained

During the conference call, Marchionne called electrification “an integral part of the development of the [Fiat Chrysler] group” adding “we [FCA] have been reluctant to embrace that avenue until we saw clearer the path forward”.

Fiat Chrysler has been slow to embrace electrification compared to other major carmaking groups due to an imbalance of demand and development costs. In 2014, Marchionne even went so far as to tell customers not to buy the electric Fiat 500e, as each car lost the company around £8,300.

The FCA boss told investors and listening journalists that the group will kick on with an initial electrification plan that will conclude in 2022, by which time more than half the FCA fleet will be electrified in some way with Maserati “in particular” championing the change.

“When it [Maserati] completes the development of its next two models, it will effectively switch all of its portfolio to electrification”, said Marchionne.

“As these products come up for renewal post 2019, it will start launching vehicles which are all-electric and which embody, I think, what will be considered state of the art technology." 

One of these first electrified cars to arrive under the Maserati brand could be the Alfieri. Unveiled in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2014, Marchionne revealed in an interview last year that it could appear with an electrified powertrain some time after 2019.

FCA plans to hold an investor day early in 2018 to outline future product plans, so we should receive more details then. Marchionne will not see out the five-year electrification push though, as he has confirmed plans to retire in 2019.

Is now the time for FCA to push forward with electrification? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

James Brodie

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Porsche confirms 2019 Formula E entry as LMP1 programme ends

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Porsche becomes the latest big name to join Formula E, and will pull out of LMP1 this year

2017-07-28 09:45

Porsche has become the latest major car manufacturer to commit to entering Formula E, and will end its Le Mans winning World Endurance Championship LMP1 programme at the end of the 2017 season.

The brand will enter Formula E in 2019 as the second brand from the Volkswagen Group to confirm its place on the grid – Audi confirmed earlier this month that it will join the sport for the 2017/18 season, taking control of the ABT Sportsline entry.

• What is Formula E?

Porsche’s announcement comes as a clutch of premium German manufactures have committed to the all-electric motorsport series. This month alone, alongside Audi, Mercedes and BMW have confirmed plans to fully enter the sport. BMW will join the grid in 2018, while Mercedes will enter alongside Porsche for the 2019/20 season.

Renault, DS and Jaguar already feature on the Formula E grid.

Like these other manufacturers, Porsche will use Formula E as a test bed to develop new electric powertrains and technology, ahead of the firm’s first all-electric car arriving on sale in 2020. Revealed in concept form at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mission E will fire the starting gun on an EV revolution at Porsche which will see the firm develop electric sports alongside its traditional range.

Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG, said: “For us, Formula E is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high-performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency and sustainability”. 

Porsche says it has already taken the first necessary steps towards developing its 2019 Formula E entry, and while the firm is backing away from LMP1 and the WEC, it will continue to invest in GT class racing.

Is Formula E now the most attractive motorsport for manufacturers? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

James Brodie

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“As an engine supplier in F1, Honda is an embarrassment”

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Mike Rutherford thinks Honda need to exit F1 and instead spend its billions more wisely

2017-07-28 09:45

I think of Honda as an old and much-loved friend. It’s possibly the nicest firm on Planet Automobile. And its heart is in the right place. As is mine. The company has often hosted me in Japan – at Formula One circuits, test tracks, research centres and at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Also, I feel genuinely honoured that Honda afforded me precious time – at races, social gatherings and in driver coaching sessions – with a handful of its Formula One pilots. I even got to race an NSX against one Honda F1 driver, while another made it a three-way duel by flying a helicopter overhead. Naturally, I came last.

Although it hurts me to say this, the firm’s now a shadow of its once glorious self. Truth is, as an engine supplier to McLaren-Honda in F1, Honda is an embarrassment, must exit the sport and instead spend its billions more wisely on things like its largely underwhelming road car range.

The rationale at Honda is that F1 showcases world-class engineering talents, innovation and overall cleverness. Fair enough. But the only thing the firm is showcasing this year is the inability of McLaren-Honda F1 cars to finish races. Then even when they’re running ‘trouble-free’ they’re too slow. Mercedes has accrued 330 points at this halfway point of the season, while Ferrari’s scored 275, making them the equivalent of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the football world.

Meanwhile, over the same period, McLaren-Honda has acquired just two meaningless points and sits at the bottom of the F1 standings, making it the equivalent of Leyton Orient. If it doesn’t immediately abandon its humiliating sleepwalk into F1, Honda will continue to seriously harm the reputation of and confidence in the brand and the showroom products. Current and potential buyers want to be associated with success, not failure.

Not that McLaren is an innocent player. It should never have entered into yet another marriage with Honda, as it just can’t rely on a third party engine supplier these days. The Mercedes and Ferrari F1 teams are true greats of the modern GP scene, not least because they use their own powerplants.

If McLaren craves the same levels of global success and respect – and it desperately does – it must bite the bullet and somehow install its own engines in its own F1 cars. The engine design and build process, plus the Honda divorce proceedings need to start, like, yesterday.

Do you think Honda should exit F1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below...

Mike Rutherford

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'Petrol and diesel ban exposes gaping holes in the Government’s understanding'

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The announcement that sales of petrol or diesel cars will be banned by 2040 changes little and leaves questions unanswered says John McIlroy

2017-07-27 12:00

It probably shouldn’t surprise us that there is remarkably little detail in the Government’s proposal for solely electrified vehicle sales from 2040. Politicians always have a tendency to think big, particularly when the time frames involved run into decades. The soundbites and headlines come more easily that way. 

They also have notoriously poor understanding of the technologies involved in modern cars; after all, their fixation on CO2 emissions instead of NOx particulates is one of the main reasons we’re facing such a crisis on urban air quality. Legislators, not the car industry, created the rules on Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax that favoured diesel power. And they concocted a flawed fuel efficiency test that has proven too easy for engineers to beat, even by legitimate means.

• Best electric cars to buy now

Indeed, if you wash away a bit of the bluster from yesterday’s front pages, I’m not exactly sure that Michael Gove’s ‘big news’ wasn’t just something we already knew anyway - namely, that cars powered solely by combustion engines are on borrowed time.

Almost all of the big manufacturers have pure-electric cars under development or already on sale, and many see mild and plug-in hybrids as an efficient stopgap. There was nothing in yesterday’s statement that would prevent these hybrid cars from being sold beyond 2040, regardless of whether they support their batteries with petrol or diesel power.

There are, as I see it, three key factors in whether this goal can be delivered. The first is whether there will be suitable cars. The second is whether the infrastructure can support it. And the third is whether the electricity supplies in the background will actually be green enough to make the whole process worthwhile.

I have considerable faith that car engineers and companies will produce viable plug-in hybrids and pure-electric cars by 2040. For some lifestyles - my own included - they’re already doing this now. And many brands are already suggesting that a quarter of their range will be electrified by 2025.

I’m far less confident on the other two issues. Companies like Chargemaster and PodPoint have the technical know-how to deliver charging points by the bucketload, I’m sure, but the sort of infrastructure to support a wholesale switch to at least part-electric cars will require more than just ambitious private firms. 

It will, in fact, demand Government investment in not only physical charging stations, but the time and legislation required to allow them in hugely increasing numbers. And this was nowhere to be seen in Gove’s statement.

• Diesel scrappage scheme: buck passed to local authorities

Then there’s the energy production itself. I’m sure the switch to electrification will solve a lot of the problems with poor air quality in heavy-traffic areas. And I know that lots more batteries in cars and smarter charging stations could help to move capacity around the National Grid, improving its efficiency

But as someone who uses an electric vehicle most days, I’m concerned at how the UK is going to get the sort of power production capacity that’s still going to be required to replace lots of combustion engines. And how much it will cost, in environmental, political and financial terms.

More detail is promised in what DEFRA calls ‘a further strategy on the pathway to zero-emission transport for all road vehicles’, due in March 2018. I look forward to seeing if those proposals deliver the clarification that is so badly need. Because as it is, I sense a danger that yesterday’s statement does little more than exposing other gaping holes in the Government’s understanding, knowledge base, policies and investment. 

What do you think about the 2040 petrol and diesel cars sales ban and the issues surrounding it? Let us know in the comments section below...

John McIlroy

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