Tesla Model 3 Will Have An All-Wheel-Drive, Dual-Motor Option

8 years, 8 months ago - 6 April 2016, Autoblog
Tesla Model 3 Will Have An All-Wheel-Drive, Dual-Motor Option
Tesla's Model 3 will come standard in rear-wheel drive but will also have an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor option, like the Model S and Model X. Tesla Chief Elon Musk confirmed that news in a series of tweets on Sunday.

Ever the salesman, Musk made sure that those paying the base price for the rear-wheel-drive configuration wouldn't feel left out, noting that "even RWD will have great traction on ice due to fast torque response of Tesla drivetrain." Count us among those that will be more than willing to test that theory.

Musk also noted Sunday that the California-based electric-vehicle maker had taken 276,000 reservations since the Model 3 went on sale Thursday. Tesla had taken 180,000 reservations, complete with a $1,000 refundable deposit, within the first 24 hours of Model 3's availability. Those first-day orders averaged $42,000 a pop. If no buyers back out, Tesla may have north of $11 billion in revenue heading its way as the Model 3 starts deliveries. Indeed, the combination of a stylish sedan that can go 215 miles (345 km) on a single charge, run from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds and cost as "little" as $35,000 appeared to do the trick.

On that note, Musk tweeted Saturday a "token of appreciation" for people who camped out in front of Tesla stores, noting that he thought "maybe 20-30 people per store would line up, not 800. Gifts on order."

No word on how much the Model 3's all-wheel-drive option will cost. Regardless, Musk seemed to hint at further announcements for Model 3 features, noting that "we really will have more cow bells." Or maybe he's just a Will Ferrell fan. But we're thinking more options.