Tesla’s long-awaited Model 3 has made its official public debut in the UK three years after the first orders were placed.
When the all-electric saloon was first announced in September 2015, there was an incredible response with 325,000 deposits taken globally. Since then, the production timetable has stretched with numerous problems afflicting the California-based tech company.
Although deliveries in the US have begun, this is only the start for UK customers who will have never seen the car in the metal before without travelling abroad.
The Model 3 made its debut appearance at Tesla’s Park Royal centre, on Dukes Road in London, and those who had put down a deposit for their own were invited for a first glimpse.
Tesla also confirmed at the event the range of its long-range rear-wheel-drive Model 3, after it completed the Worldwide Harmonised Light-Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), as 338 miles. However, there is also the option of a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, although the range for this model hasn’t been officially confirmed.
This is the smallest family car in the Tesla range but still boasts impressive performance figures. The Model 3 will be capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and can hit a claimed top speed of 155mph.
The Model 3 is also the most affordable car from the brand yet, with US prices starting from $35,000 (around £27,000). UK prices still haven’t been confirmed, but interested buyers can put down a £1,000 deposit on the car maker’s website to join the order queue.