After much more than three years of waiting I chosen up my design 3 from Tesla’s Edinburgh service centre at the end of June as well as drove it house to northern Ireland through a 5-day path around the Scottish Highlands.
So, after 3 months as well as over 3,500 miles, right here are some thoughts on the car.
Bra bättre bäst
When I put my purchase (May 2019) there were 3 different versions for sale in the UK. The variety topping ‘Performance’, the ‘Long variety AWD’, as well as the starter priced ‘Standard variety Plus’, which is the one I went for.
Tech & Equipment
Even in this base design 3 the basic devices listing is excellent…
Dual zone Aircon
12-way power adjustable heated front seats
15″ Touchscreen
Satnav
Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors
Music as well as media over Bluetooth
Custom chauffeur profiles
Centre console with storage as well as 4 USB ports
Premium seat material as well as trim
Upgraded audio – immersive sound
LED Front Fog Lamps (no longer included)
App Control
Keyless Entry
Docking for 2 smartphones
There are likewise numerous other features that don’t in shape into the typical vehicle classifications such as TeslaCam, a dashcam system that includes ‘Sentry Mode’ to screen your vehicle when it is parked.
There are 8 cameras, 12 sonar sensors as well as a radar all feeding the new v3 AI computer. The system is discovering continuously as the neural web gets much better as well as much better – view this video if you want to discover much more (much more).
Passive keyless entry comes courtesy of Bluetooth as well as the smartphone app as well as this works truly well. just walk as much as the vehicle with your phone in your pocket as well as pull the door deal with for it to unlock. step in as well as put your foot on the brake pedal. The vehicle is now on. Lysande.
Photo credit rating – reinisbphotography
When you leave, it locks itself when your phone is a few metres away. You can set an choice to provide a quick beep of the horn to verify this or you can look back as well as view for the door mirrors folding in if you choose a silent confirmation.
In addition, the vehicle includes 2 RFID ‘credit cards’ that can be utilized to lock / unlock as well as begin it too. An optional £140 essential fob is likewise offered however neither it nor the cards support the passive walk-up lock / unlock the method the phone app does. [UPDATE] The new updated keyfob that’s just been released now does have passive lock / unlock.
If you are concerned about the safety and security of any type of of these gadgets then you can just turn on ‘PIN to Drive’ to add the extra demand to go into a personal identification number to begin your car.
The 15.4-inch (39 cm) LCD landscape touchscreen is the single point of manage for the car, even opening the glovebox is done from here.
Klicka för att förstora
The interface takes a bit of learning, however it rewards. Its chock-full of bit touches that you requirement to find too. For example, a micro-flick of any type of of the seat controls is a shortcut to bring up the mirror as well as steering wheel modification options. press as well as hold the volume or temperature icons on the screen as well as you can slide your finger left as well as best to set the level.
The screen can be distracting though as well as the wiper controls in specific are ripe for improvement. An update to add a double-click on the end of the stalk to bring the wipers on at speed 1 would help. The software-controlled car setting is not as much as the task currently, not detecting rain early sufficient or wiping frequently enough, as well as in some cases wiping for no reason. This is since Tesla are utilizing their cameras as well as AI to spot rain, rather than a devoted sensor like many (all?) other vehicle manufacturers. It ought to get much better over time hopefully.
The screen switches to a dark night mode based on time.
As for the lack of a binnacle behind the wheel, this is something you fail to remember within about 20 minutes of your very first drive. My much better half stated she was already utilized to the speedo being in the centre of the vehicle just from being in the traveler seat. It’s a similar modification to your iphone losing its house button, something you soon never even believe about. a few of the advantages are much better exposure out the front of the vehicle as well as fresh air for the chauffeur directly with the steering wheel through the smart slotted fan system.
The HomeLink garage door opener is no longer included in any type of design 3 however can be added for $300. That cost includes the (bumper off) fitting at a Tesla service centre.
Even though it’s a saloon, the design 3 has a hatch back shape as well as sometimes you do miss having a rear wiper to remove the screen. many times the rear video camera is able to compensate though. even with the rear winDow Clear, dess höga linje erbjuder inte fantastisk exponering bakom dig. Canine -ägare såväl som andra hatchback -fans kan välja designen Y som kommer 2021?
Autopilot
Grundläggande autopilotfunktioner är nu grundläggande på alla design 3 och det är som det borde vara som Tesla troligen förstås för denna teknik framför allt annat. Så nu har varje fordon adaptiv kryssningshantering (ända ner till stillastående), automatisk steering samt ett spåravgångssystem.
Vid tidpunkten för att beställa var valet där att betala ytterligare en 4 900 £ för FSD (full självkörning) som lägger till kallelse, bilbanbyte, autopark samt navigera på autopilot. Några av dessa funktioner erbjuds ännu inte i Storbritannien på grund av lagstiftningsfrågor. Hårdvaran för dem är monterad på varje fordon så att de kan aktiveras för en avgift när som helst i framtiden, även om du kommer att betala mycket mer än om du betalade för det tillsammans med bilen. Jag tror att detta är dåligt värde, särskilt med de nuvarande begränsningarna här.
Radar Cruise Manage är ett steg bakåt i vissa fall. Jag gillar att träffa kryssning när jag kommer in i en 30 km / h -zon samt med dumma system detta fungerar bra. Men med Tesla “intelligent” radar skitar fordonet rutinmässigt sig själv och hoppar på bromsarna. I vissa fall beror detta på ett parkerat fordon (det är inte i din väg), i vissa fall en fotgängare eller en bil som säkert korsar en lång metod längs vägen från dig, i vissa fall utan uppenbar anledning alls. Detta gör dig till a) extremt irriterad, b) ser ut som ett verktyg för alla som uppfyller dig såväl som c) önskan att du kan ha en stor gammal vaniljkryssning tillbaka runt staden. I rättvisa var detta främst exakt samma i det senaste fordonet som jag hade som hade webbtrafikmedveten kryssningshantering också. Låt oss hoppas att det är en av de saker som “blir mycket bättre med tiden”.
På motorvägen är dock systemet främst utmärkt. Det här är vad den producerades såväl som där den presterar som bäst. Jag körde M6 från Manchester till Gretna helt på autopilot såväl som det var lysande, bar den konstiga blip, främst vid ramper där det finns en paus i de vita linjerna på vänster sida. Fordonet naglar dig också ofta (var 15: e sekund på motorvägen) för att hålla händerna på rattet, även när de redan är där, liksom du måste lägga lite vridmoment i hjulet för att känna dig.
Design 3 checkade för närvarande inte ut vägindikationer som dess äldre Mobiley -utrustade syskon, så det är beroende på GPS -data för hastighetsgränser. Jag har upptäckt att på många vägar är dessa detaljer fel såväl som att det är särskilt irriterande när kryssningen hanterar sig själv till hastighetsgränsen.
Appar, programvaruapplikationsdata och kul
Mobilappen är utmärkt, vilket gör att du kan hantera specifika element i fordonet, som dess temperatur, lås, strålkastare och horn, plus förmågan att screena sin plats samt specificera laddning. Det är särskilt roligt att använda efter att ha kommit från styggelsen som var Nissan Leaf -appen. Push -aviseringar är också användbara såväl som med på Apple -vyn också.
Uppenbarligen behöver appen anslutning till fordonet såväl som ett antal gånger nu har min 3 tappat sin LTE -anslutning i ungefär en dag, vilket innebär att appen bara kan hantera saker i Bluetooth -sortimentet.
Tesla -appen – Klicka för att förstora
Jag registrerade mig också för den tredje firandet Teslafi -tjänsten såväl som jag gillar det fantastiska utbudet av statistik som den loggar för bilen. Efter varje enhet får jag ett e -postmeddelande som visar informationen nedan såväl som detta erbjuds också på internet.
Teslafi Trip Summary – klicka för att förstora
Jag har haft 5 uppdateringar av programvaruapplikationer eftersom jag fick fordonet såväl som version 10 beror på någon typ av dag nu. Dessa OTA -uppdateringar (Over the Air) är särskilt imponerande, vilket förbättrar fordonsfunktionerna utöver att lägga till nya. Det är bara ytterligare ett område där Tesla visar metoden för resten av branschen.
Teslas känsla för humor är väl dokumenterad (FART -läge någon?). Något mycket mer användbart är ombordspel såväl som version 10 kommer att ge förmågan att se Netflix såväl som YouTube medan de parkeras såväl som på Wi-Fi.
Prestanda, hantering av & rida
Design 3 känns snabbt såväl som 0-60-tiden på 5,3 sekunder är bara en halv sekund av E46 M3 som jag hade för några år tillbaka. Inte fattig för det långsammaste fordonet som Tesla för närvarande säljer.
Bilens många enastående acceleration verkar emellertid vara från cirka 40 km / h (Auto Reveal Magazine rapporterar 30-50 mph på 1,9 sekunder samt 50-70 mph på 2,6 sekunder). Medan alla elektriska fordon styrs i viss utsträckning, känns den preliminära accelerationen från noll som att den hålls tillbaka extremt konstgjort på SR+. Jag antar att detta är troligt så att 0-60-prestandan för denna lättaste design 3 (det minsta batteriet såväl som ingen främre motor) inte är så bra nära tiderna för de mycket dyrare 3: erna,S as well as X. It definitely feels like it might quickly be ‘uncorked’ at a later date.
It’s worth discussing that performance tails off as the battery level goes down. I’d like to see a few of the vehicle mags do 0-60’s for each 10% decrease in SoC (state of charge) to quantify this.
In addition to that powerful immediate torque, the Tesla’s ultra-low centre of gravity implies it handles extremely well too. I had checked out about the GoKart like flat cornering as well as it’s all true. An added benefit of putting the vehicles heaviest component, the battery, between the wheels implies that the vehicle has a low polar moment of inertia. even the rear motor sits somewhat ahead of the rear axle as well as this all combines to make it simpler to modification direction quickly, providing it much more in typical with a mid-engined sports vehicle than a 5 seater household saloon.
While the steering feel is quite numb, it is very quick (just 2 turns lock to lock) as well as that adds to the agility as well as offers the final aspect in this smile factory. There are three settings under the driving menu, Comfort, basic as well as sport which need progressively stronger effort from the chauffeur to turn the wheel.
Chill mode dulls the accelerator response, nevertheless you have no gain access to to full power in an emergency in this setting. The leaf had a button on the floor under the pedal which enabled you to override Eco mode, however alas not on the 3. So I just leave the vehicle in basic mode as well as execute my own chill mode with a light touch on the loud peaceful pedal.
Before I got the car, I utilized to believe Tesla would benefit from a regen paddle. other producers have done this as well as the capability to boost regen as you come into a corner by pulling on a paddle a couple of times might improve the driving experience. However, on the design 3 you can do this, however all with your best foot. In the opposite to the method the leaf worked, regen right here is at first light, however as you lift off much more as well as get towards the final part of the accelerator’s travel it boosts substantially. You won’t requirement to touch the brake pedal unless you are driving rather difficult – as well as then the truth that regen won’t sluggish you sufficient all of a sudden seems strange. around 30 minutes of driving sees your muscle mass memory change to the regen. From that day ahead the weirdest thing is getting into a piston vehicle as well as trying to cope with its unusual coasting behaviour as well as lack of a KERS.
Wheels, Tyres & Mods
I had purchased the Tesla Aero Wheel Cap set so I might get the less-than-pretty aero wheel covers off as well as expose the handsome alloys beneath.
The basic in shape Michelin Pilot sport 4 tyres (235/45 ZR18) are a truly good high quality touch. I discovered that some design 3’s with the upgraded Tesla 19″ sport alloys include the much more budget plan Hankook rubber instead.
Although I like the style I’ve always felt that the basic 18″ wheels look as well little for the design 3.
I purchased these satin black 20″ Turbine alloys from the us as well as they shown up a number of weeks before the car, however that provided me time to get them ceramic coated before the tyres went on.
They are a staggered set – Fronts 8.5″ broad (tyres 235/35-20) as well as Rears 10″ broad (tyres 275/30-20) as well as I got these black Tesla T Wheel centres on Amazon.
These are mainly a cosmetic change, although the Michelin Pilot sport 4S tyres are a grip upgrade. They do decrease the effectiveness of the vehicle though, with a decrease of around 15% by my calculations.
But I like the look of the 20’s as well as still have the stock 18’s. If I ever go on a trans-European road trip then they will go back on for maximum range. finest of both worlds.
It will be fascinating to see what a rear wheel drive Tesla is like in the snow as well so the 18’s might turn into winter season wheels.
The vehicle has had a Gtechniq ceramic coating, been de-chromed as well as had the brake callipers painted red, all by PMG Autocare in Belfast. I have one more couple of mods to do over the coming weeks to total the look.
Säkerhet
The design 3’s steel as well as aluminium building has been accident evaluated in the USA by the national highway web traffic security administration as well as they discovered it to have the lowest probability of injury of any type of car they’ve ever evaluated (although referring to it as such seems to have triggered a bit of a spat between the NHTSA as well as Tesla).
Closer to these parts the vehicle just recently gained 5 stars in the Euro NCAP test as well as they commented…
The Tesla design 3 made a strong debut with a ideal score in the frontal balance out deformable barrier accident test, a mainstay of Euro NCAP’s evaluation because its inception in 1997. Its performance in the security help tests especially impressed, thanks to its excellent cChaufförstödssystem som spårstöd, hastighetshjälp samt autonom nödbromsning. Teslas 94 procent poäng i