Tesla working on Model 3 hatch-version, to rival VW ID 3

KUALA LUMPUR: Tesla is on a mission to build affordable electric cars. At least that is one thing we can make out of Elon Musk's recent conversation with his investors on a conference call. Autocar quotes him saying, "we will not succeed in our mission if we don't make cars affordable", he further said, "The thing that bugs me the most about where we are right now is that our cars aren't affordable enough. We need to fix that".

To keep the upcoming Tesla car launch a surprise for the moment, Musk confirmed that "it would be reasonable to assume that we would make a compact vehicle of some kind and probably a higher-capacity vehicle of some kind".

It is believed that Tesla's upcoming car would be primarily aimed at the European market and based on the existing Model 3. Also, it could be built at the automaker's new factory located in Berlin, Germany.

Since Musk is tight-lipped about the upcoming 'affordable' car, it's hard to say when it will be launched. However, seeing Tesla's future product lineup, we are hopeful to see unique electric vehicles in the years to come. Some of the known names in Tesla's upcoming product list are - the Semi, the Roadster, and the Cybertruck.

According to speculations, the Model 3 based hatch will rival Volkswagen ID.3 and other small EVs that are already on sale or on the verge of being launched. However, to make it to the battleground, it must first fall under the affordable price range. Tesla has a shot at undercutting the ID.3, given the fact that the hatch is manufactured in Germany.

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Further, using a huge aluminium casting machine that massively simplifies the car casting process, we expect a further cost reduction. This tech reportedly reduces the number of car parts from 70 to 2.

Next, Tesla would also have to reduce the range and performance of the Model 3; all to make it apt for the hatch.

Until the time Tesla reveals additional info on the Model 3 based hatch, we, like many others, will go with the name Model 2, as it's simple and goes with the company's naming pattern.

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