Tesla To Launch New Compact Electric Car Within Five Years
The American electric carmaker could come out with a Volkswagen I.D. and Nissan Leaf rivalling hatchback
Pictured: Tesla Model 3
While speaking at Tesla’s annual shareholders meeting, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, confirmed that he’s aiming to launch a new entry-level electric compact car within five years from now. Currently, the extremely popular India-bound Model 3 is positioned as Tesla’s entry-level model.
“I think we’ll do a compact car in less than five years”, said Elon Musk at the recent event.
Pictured: 2016 Volkswagen I.D. Concept
And that’s pretty much all we know about Tesla’s upcoming ‘compact car’ for now. It could possibly be a hatchback and might rival the upcoming Volkswagen I.D., which will hit the market three years prior to the Tesla, in 2020. The Volkswagen I.D. (concept revealed at the 2016 Paris Motor Show) will be VW’s first-ever fully electric car as well as the first model from its upcoming I.D. family. Apart from the VW I.D., the Tesla compact car could also go up against the popular Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt, among others.
Pictured: 2016 Volkswagen I.D. Concept
The Tesla hatchback, if it actually sees the light of the day, could be similar to the VW I.D. dimensionally. That should make it roughly 500mm smaller than the Model 3 in terms of overall length. The Nissan Leaf, on the other hand, is longer than the VW I.D. However, both of these are similarly sized otherwise.
| Dimensions |
Volkswagen I.D. |
Nissan Leaf |
Chevrolet Bolt |
Tesla Model 3 (sedan) |
| Length |
4,099mm |
4,490mm |
4,166mm |
4,694mm |
| Width |
1,800mm |
1,788mm |
1,765mm |
1,933mm |
| Height |
1,529mm |
1,540mm |
1,594mm |
1,442mm |
| Wheelbase |
2,750mm |
2,700mm |
2,600mm |
2,875mm |
Pictured: Chevrolet Bolt
Range has always been Tesla’s forte and the upcoming model should be no exception. In fact, it could be among the best in the segment in this aspect.
| Range |
Volkswagen I.D. |
Nissan Leaf |
Chevrolet Bolt |
Tesla Model 3 |
| On a single charge* |
Up to 600km |
~284km |
~ 383km |
Up to ~498km |
| Motor output |
168Ps |
150PS |
200PS |
N.A. |
*different test cycles
And as Musk had said, “we don’t make slow cars”, during the Model 3’s unveil in April 2016, expect the Tesla compact car to be no slouch either. The entry-level Model 3, for reference, clocks 0-60mph (96kmph) in 5.1 seconds, while the AWD performance model does the same in 3.5 seconds.
Pictured: Tesla Model S
At present, the smallest platform over which a Tesla is built is the one that underpins the Model 3. The Model Y compact SUV will also be based on this platform. However, it remains to be seen whether Tesla has planned a new platform for the smaller car or if it will just be a hatchback/trimmed sibling of the Model 3 and the upcoming Model Y.