Video: Short, yet brilliant, first Model 3 drive

The Tesla Model 3 has arrived in New Zealand, and EVtalk has driven it – albeit briefly.

With just 45 minutes behind the wheel, and the need to generate content in that time, we are far from ready to draw full conclusions on the vehicle.

On initial impressions, however, it is brilliant.

The model we got to drive was the Performance version, the top of a three-model range for now.

Last time we reported on the range there were only two, a Standard Range Plus and the Performance, now you can have a Long Range version, and the Performance has seen a price rise to $101,100.

All models are pretty well specified, the Standard Range Plus gets 12-way power adjustable heated front seats, premium seat material and trim, upgraded audio, standard maps and navigation, LED fog lamps, centre console with storage, four USB ports and docking for two smartphones.

The Long Range and Performance get the premium interior package, satellite-view maps with live traffic visualisation and navigation, premium audio with 14 speakers, in-car internet streaming music and media, internet browser, location-aware automatic garage door opener.

Slip inside and the Model 3 is a different proposition to the S and X.In fact, even getting in is different.

You tap your key card on the b-pillar to unlock and then you fold out the door handles – rather than them popping out.

Inside the interior is dominated by the large central screen that controls most of the vehicle’s functions – the only other significant controls are the steering wheel and the combination button/scroll wheels on it.

The dash feels low, and the vents – controlled from the screen – run almost full length across it.

The slimmed down design helps the car feel very spacious, and also of a higher quality.

Tesla seems to have avoided points where soft finishes meet curved edges – it all feels tighter and cleaner.

The seats themselves are very comfortable.

We set the seats up for a 6’2” man to sit behind himself and there was decent room.

The steering wheel does feel a little small and basic, but that is only by a measure of the rest of this technical marvel.

We hit the road.Our short drive meant we left the vehicle in Sport mode rather than chill mode.

This allowed us to access all the available performance – this version is capable of achieving 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds.

It has a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution and, of course, all-wheel drive grip, none of which we could test at 11.30am in Grey Lynn.

I do wish Tesla would work to make their modes more adaptable, as Audi has done with the e-tron.

Sport is sport, and comes with a slightly over-responsive throttle pedal that will probably force you to leave the car in Chill most of the time.

Otherwise, the short drive was impressive.

The ride, for a sports-orientated model, was surprisingly good.

The steering had a nice weight and response level to it, and the brakes bite well.

We briefly tried AutoPilot on the run back from Point Chevalier to the city and it reinforced our usual experience – that it goes forward in leaps every time we drive it.

It drove the car the full motorway trip with little intervention.
It even noted and dealt with a somewhat nosey motorcyclist who passed close to the car.

Full self-driving preparation adds $8000 to the price.

With Tesla Auckland building up to prepare for delivery, it will not be long will we see a lot more Model 3s on the road.

Hopefully one will make it into the hands of the EVtalk team for a full review.