These are the most intriguing features in the Tesla Model 3

tesla model 3
Tesla

If you've been anywhere near the internet or a cable TV within the past 12 hours or so, you've probably learned that Tesla just showed off a pre-production version of their new affordable car, the Model 3.

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The press conference was great. Elon was peppy as ever, we saw the car, got some information about it, all that good press conference stuff. But unfortunately, there were a few features that we noticed that we fel glossed over a bit too quickly.

We need answers.

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One of the prototype cars at the event last night looked like it had carbon fiber wheels.

Screen Shot 2016 04 01 at 11.18.51 AM
Tesla

Carbon fiber wheels are awesome, but they there are extremely few production cars that can be found with them. 

Carbon fiber wheels help reduce unsprung mass overall weight, which is important in making cars move quicker. Unfortunately, carbon fiber is still pretty expensive material to produce, which is largely why you don't yet see them on many production cars.

Even if carbon fiber wheels are available just as an option on the Model 3, that would show how dedicated Tesla is to weight-reduction, speed, and performance, and help set it apart from the other small luxury sedans it will be competing against.

They make the car look extremely good. We hope they make it into final production.

Screen Shot 2016 04 01 at 11.17.14 AM
Tesla
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On the inside, there's some crazy 15-inch infotainment screen. Also notice the lack of gauges.

this car gives us a view of the cars 15 inch touchscreen display which provides information entertainment and navigation
Tesla

Speed and other driving information are shown on the top left of the center-mounted screen.

It sounds like it would be a pain and even slightly dangerous to look that far away from the steering wheel and at a screen for that kind of information. 

There have been many cars before with center-mounted gauges, but it seems like having that kind of information placed on a screen would make it even more difficult to navigate while driving. 

It's similar to the screens used in the Model S and the Model X, but this one is slightly smaller and oriented horizontally instead of vertically.

heres another view of the central console theres no separate console for the driver to see information like gas and speed its all right here on this touchscreen display
Tesla

It also protrudes from the dash, unlike the ones in the more expensive models.

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Tesla has been getting a bit of shade for the Model 3's grill-less front end.

model3
Tesla

Some have called it innovative, others have said that they don't even want to look at it head-on because it looks like someone ripped its mouth off. 

Will the Model 3 make it to production without a mouth?

Maybe. And if so, that's okay.

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There's a massive piece of glass that covers the roof and the back of the car.

Screen Shot 2016 04 01 at 11.35.27 AM
Tesla

It looks awesome, but does it serve a purpose?

 

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We're just going to have to wait and see.

tesla model 3
Tesla

After reaching out to Tesla for more information on these various features and how far off the physically the pre-production prototypes were from the actual production model, a Tesla representative responded "We'll have more details to share closer to the start of production. Model 3 is still a prototype however it is reflective of our production intent. "

 

Cars Tesla Model 3
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