Tesla Model 3 Design Studio: $49,000 for first production, $2,500 down

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Tesla opened up its Model 3 online configurator to employees the day after CEO Elon Musk handed over the first 30 production cars to their new owners at the company’s Fremont, California factory.

Screenshots of the newly opened Model 3 Design Studio, posted by a Tesla employee via Model 3 Owners Club, reveal that first deliveries to employees are expected to take place sometime between October and December of this year. Incidentally, this is the same delivery timeframe that has been assigned to Model 3 reservation holders that are non-employees and lined up in the early hours of March 31, 2016 to place their order.

However, first deliveries come with a caveat. The first tab of the Model 3 online configurator outlines the standard features of the $35,000 base vehicle, along with two selectable options that add a Long Range Battery and Premium Upgrades. Combined, the two additional options total $14,000 and increases the price of the 330-mile Model 3 to $49,000, or 40% over the base price. What’s important to note is that below each of the selectable upgrades reads fine print, “Required for first production”.

That’s right. If you’re interested in taking early delivery of your Model 3, employee or not, Tesla will ask you to purchase the larger battery, power adjustable front seats and premium audio system as part of the Premium Upgrades package.

Selecting a color other than Solid Black for your Model 3 will set you back another $1,000. Tesla is offering the following paint choices in the latest Model 3 online configurator.

• Solid Black: Standard
• Midnight Silver Metallic: $1,000
• Deep Blue Metallic: $1,000
• Silver Metallic: $1,000
• Pearl White Multi-Coat: $1,000
• Red Multi-Coat: $1,000

Upgrading the Model 3 wheel from a standard 18″ size to a 19″ Sport Wheel will tack on an another $1,500. A white Model 3 with 310-miles of range, power adjustable front seats and 19″ wheels will set you back $51,500. Mixing in the $5,000 Enhanced Autopilot upgrade into the equation and you now have a $56,500 Model 3.

Do you want Tesla’s yet-to-be-released Full Self-Driving Capability? The $3,000 upgrade will bump the total price of the Model 3 to just shy of $60,000 at $59,500.

And finally when you’re ready to place your order, a deposit of $2,500 is required which isn’t any different than placing an online order for a Model S or Model X.

Early reservations holders that are existing Tesla owners and registered in California can expect deliveries of the $35,000 “Standard” Model 3 between December 2017 and February 2018, according to Tesla’s latest Model 3 delivery estimator.

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