TESLA MODEL 3 LONG RANGE: INNOVATION AND MINIMALISM

Last night I had a dream. I don’t dream often and this time it felt like I’ve dreamt for so long that I could recover from years of empty, pointless nights. What a magnificent feeling is to wake up being aware of the fact that you still have an inner, rich and glorious universe. People reach a point in their life when they feel “alive” at their most when they wake up from a dream. The feeling of understanding the difference between the reality you built with your mind and the “real” reality is sometimes breathtaking. 

Some people crave after the feeling of being alive. That’s why they probably do parachuting. Some people just got used to their work-eat-sleep routine and they just don’t think about the excitement of happiness. As years pass, there are few things that bring the innocence of pure joy. 

And there are some people that drive a Tesla.

The salt and pepper of the electric automotive world.

There is nothing like the experience of driving a Tesla and diving into an in depth analysis of an amazing, disruptive technology. Now this makes you feel alive each time you are behind its steering wheel.

In this article I will get into details regarding the Model 3 Long Range, the third model of Tesla I had in test ( you can find here my review for the Tesla Model S and here my review for the Tesla Model X).

This was the third summer in a row I tested a Tesla and I must tell you I’m in love with this tradition. It also inspired me to create a photography project: each year I take a photo with my daughter and I in front of the Tesla I’m reviewing. It’s such an emotional legacy for my kid and I’m proud I’m being able to create this for her. She might want to drive a Tesla when she’ll grow up:)) Here is the photo I’m adding to my project:)

Ok, now let me wipe up my “baby is not a baby anymore” tears and tell you more about this amazing car that, despite my initial beliefs, is pretty different than the other 2 models I drove. 

First thing’s first.

The most shocking thing for the driver is that the well known speedometer and tachometer are gone, together with the screen that we are so used to seeing in front of the steering wheel. The good thing is that you won’t miss it. Personally I didn’t. You can find all the information related to driving on the 15 inch horizontally oriented touchscreen:

Honestly, I didn’t mind – not even for a second – that I didn’t have the driving information in that classic spot. I personally think that drivers got so used to sliding and scrolling on the central touchscreen that somehow that part of the dashboard became the main centre of interest. After the road, of course!

When I saw the Model 3, a set of questions immediately came into my mind:

How do you open the Tesla Model 3?

There are 2 options:

a) with a card, like this:

b) with your smartphone. I do have a smartphone but I do not own a Tesla so I can’t show you how this way of locking and unlocking works 😀

How do you adjust the side mirrors?

You are probably used to pressing some buttons on the car door interior but there are none in the Tesla Model 3.

So step 1 is to select “Mirrors” on the central touchscreen and then adjust them using the two controls on the steering wheel. 

Where can I find the gear selector?

Although this is the third time I’m driving a Tesla, I had this question. I got so used to the gear selector placed on the central console that  my driving reflexes said “wait, what?” when I climbed in the Model 3. 

So the gear selector is here, right behind the steering wheel 🙂

How can I close the lids on the central console?

Very gently. Now, I have a funny story on this subject.

While I was driving on the highway I decided (I can’t remember why but I definitely had a good reason) to close the lid of one of the storage spaces. But despite my efforts it kept opening when I was trying to close it. I was like “OMG I broke the Tesla”. With sorrow in my heart I pursued my objective of closing the lid until I briefly saw a message appearing on the touch screen display. Because I was so focused on my objective, I could only read something about a lid and the word “open” so I got even more anxious thinking about the possibility of driving on the highway with the lid of the charging port open.  My mind couldn’t imagine that the car was actually telling me to close that lid GENTLY. 

Yes, that’s true. A car just told me to gently close the lid on the central console. Mind blowing. I’m in love. 

So what can we learn from this story?

The Tesla Model 3 is so easy to drive that you can allow yourself to panic about lids!

Where are the air vents?

They are invisible! What an amazing work of art!

 Check out how you can control the direction and the amount of air.

Now let’s dive into details. 

Appearance

The Model 3 is a fastback sedan (dimensions: 4 694 mm L x 1 849 mm L x 1 443 mm H) with a clear design. Its unique, minimalistic looks blend perfectly with eight cameras, one radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors, which assist your driving for a maximum of comfort behind the wheel.

Behind this appearance it’s a metal structure built from a combination of aluminium and steel. This means that the Model 3 is a definition of strength.  In a roof-crush test, Model 3 resisted four times its own mass, even with an all-glass roof: that’s the same weight as two full-grown African elephants. 

More photos:

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Driving

Driving this car is as effortless as a Sunday morning (hoping that your Sunday mornings are effortless).

I drove the Model 3 on different types of roads and in all situations I felt safe, confident and in control. I honestly don’t know how to best describe the driving experience than by telling you that this car is somehow connected to the driver in a personalized and versatile way. It adapts to your wishes, just like a soul mate. No words needed. The Model 3 just knows what you need, when you need it. See the lid situation above. 

The all-glass roof extends from front to back, creating a sense of openness from every seat and a relaxed atmosphere for your trip.

If you like listening to music while driving (I know I do) then you’ll be thrilled to find out that the Model 3 has 15 speakers incorporated, for interior sound dynamics comparable to a recording studio!

Model 3 comes with the option of dual motor all-wheel drive and 20” Performance Wheels and Brakes. The lowered suspensions offer total control, in all weather conditions. 

Tesla Model 3 Long Range accelerates from 0-60 mph in as little as 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 145 mph.

Tesla All-Wheel Drive has two independent motors for improved redundancy. Unlike traditional all-wheel drive systems, they digitally control torque to the front and rear wheels for far better handling and traction control.

This car achieved a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating overall and in every category. It also earned the highest score awarded for the Safety Assist category through its advanced active safety features including a suite of Lane Support Systems, Seatbelt Reminder, Speed Assist, and Automatic Emergency Braking.  

The infotainment 

Well, well. Welcome to coton candy land or whatever your happy place is. The 15-inch touchscreen that dominates the central console is a magnificent universe, which allows you to access and explore the many, many interesting controls. 

From information regarding the battery status, driver controls, navigation that automatically pin superchargers you should use during your trajectory to a walk on the surface of Mars, the infotainment area offers a unique approach.

The battery and charging

During my road trip with the Model 3 I made stops according to the calculations of the car. The thing that made me feel relieved about driving an electric car is that I knew exactly when I will have to stop and for how long. It gave me a feeling of security. I love to make plans and seeing my whole trip planned by the Model3 was like watching my favourite show. 

With over 17,000 Superchargers placed along routes around the world, the experience of driving a Tesla is a relaxing trip. Based on your itinerary, the car calculates where, when and for how long you should charge your car in order to get to your destination with a decent amount of battery left. 

Model 3 has a range of 560 km (348 mi)

– as an example of waiting time – if you charge the Model 3 for 15 minutes at a Supercharger, you can drive for 276 km (172 mi).

Dog Mode

As you probably already know, Tesla has 2 trunks. Xia wasn’t able to test them, I guess you understand why, since this is a sedan. But dog lovers can definitely travel with their pets buckled up in the rear (I’m working on an article about the safety measures you should take when traveling with your dog). And Model 3 encourages this by introducing the Dog Mode option which automatically keeps the interior temperature cool in the eventuality in which you let your dog waiting for you in the car.

Just as the other models of Tesla I drove, the Model 3 surprised me and kept my excitement at a high level during my drive test. 

I honestly thought that testing a third Tesla wouldn’t be so exciting because I thought I already knew how awesome a Tesla is.  But, the Model 3 managed to take my breath away through its many out of the box, unique features. I loved it, I loved it I loved it.