Hope you didn't get your hopes up, Tesla maniacs. Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained on Twitter Friday that the upcoming Model 3 is not intended to be a next-generation Tesla, but rather, will effectively be a cheaper, less high-tech version of its flagship Model S sedan.
Musk apparently noticed there was confusion regarding how the Model 3 would slot into Tesla's automotive lineup, so he took to Twitter to clear the air about the upcoming mass-market electric car.
"Am noticing that many people think Model 3 is the "next version" of a Tesla, like iPhone 2 vs 3. This is not true," Musk said in a tweet. "Model 3 is just a smaller, more affordable version of Model S w less range & power & fewer features. Model S has more advanced technology."
Apparently, the Model 3 is more of an iPhone SE to the Model S's iPhone 7.
The CEO also said that the first Model 3s to be delivered will be rear-wheel drive only, while the dual-motor cars will come later. Right-hand drive models will also be put aside until the first left-hand drive RWD models are built, Musk said over Twitter.
@FredericLambert @JimPengelly No, we are minimizing configuration complexity to keep the production ramp on schedule. RWD only for early production, just like Model S.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@DJBurges Should be summer next year. Sorry, really wish we could get RHD done sooner. We truly are working as fast as we can.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
@akaWrecks @ckalapala Only Model S will have the seven seater option, more cargo space, plus higher range, acceleration, two screens vs one, auto extend handles ...
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
A "performance" Model 3 will come about a year from now, according to Musk's estimate. But the car will not be able to match the Model S's launch speed of 0-60 miles per hour in less than 2.5 seconds.
@dr_angus Yeah, probably a year from now. S will still win on acceleration though, due to having more space for a larger battery.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
The CEO also tweeted out a short clip of a close-to-production-ready Model 3 speeding through a Tesla parking lot.
First drive of a release candidate version of Model 3 pic.twitter.com/zcs6j1YRa4
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2017
The video appears to show a car with a slightly tweaked front-end compared to the one we recently saw video of driving around in California. The blue car shown above looks like it has a different front bumper, swapped front headlights, and no lower bumper-mounted daytime-running lights.
Musk ended his Model 3 information spread by retweeting a handful of pleased Tesla owners.