I was speaking with one of my coworkers who has a Model 3 reservation, and he told me that he absolutely won't get one without the AWD option. I'm curious how many of you would demand AWD as an option for the Model 3. I've also added some poll options for those who don't have a reservation.
Tesla Model 3 AWD Option
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I think Elon said something to the effect of, the RWD will perform almost as good as the AWD in the snow and other adverse weather conditions because of their superior traction control software. I don't have a reservation for a Model 3 (waiting on a fully electric SUV with 200+ miles) but if I did, I would not opt for AWD.
As demonstrated in Norway, Tesla RWD does perform almost as well as a typical AWD car in snow due to superior traction control. It does not perform almost as well as an AWD Tesla, though.
Anything on proper snow tires does better than almost anything on all seasons, though...
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Could you provide a link for this demonstration? I am calling BS. I had Subaru Forester and with stock tires that thing was amazing. I also kept a set of winter tires for the worst of the worst. It was an absolute beast. Between a Tesla RWD and a Forester, with the exact same tires, are you kidding me? I don't see it in any day of the week.
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Type, "Tesla snow performace" into YouTube to find hundreds of videos of Tesla RWD snow performance. I'm also attaching a screenshot of Elon's tweet on the RWD vs. AWD performance.
In case that screenshot is abnormally small, here is a direct link to Elon's tweet.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716747672477151232
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Personally I wouldn't want a RD vehicle if buying NEW in 2017 and beyond unless of course it's a dedicated performance car and I wouldn't have to rely on it in bad weather.
So for me I wouldn't be interested in it. But on the other had I just bought a 2017 GMC Acadia and while I toyed with buying the AWD version for a $2K uncharge I cam to the conclusion that if I ever thought I would need AWD to get somewhere that FWD can't handle I probably shouldn't be out.
To bad the M3 isn't a FWD vehicle first and AWD as an option.
So for me I wouldn't be interested in it. But on the other had I just bought a 2017 GMC Acadia and while I toyed with buying the AWD version for a $2K uncharge I cam to the conclusion that if I ever thought I would need AWD to get somewhere that FWD can't handle I probably shouldn't be out.
To bad the M3 isn't a FWD vehicle first and AWD as an option.
I'm sorry if my words created confusion. I didn't mean that I'd seen an actual scientific study side by side - the "as demonstrated" was intended to be about Tesla adoption in Norway before the D came along and commentary from folks up there.
Here are some relevant videos/testimonials, all from RWD Teslas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxR99bGYEAQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PddyzHgQufI
This is actually Bjorn's first video and pretty much his first experience with a Tesla - if you go to T=17:15, he talks about traction control and going up a snow covered slope. At T=18:30 he gets into a blizzard in his brand new car and almost runs out of charge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZNlG4V4Pl8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsLMlozXjhk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsLMlozXjhk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfCsenpK4ak
This one isn't from Norway, but it's a Tesla owner who has experience with both RWD and AWD Teslas in serious winter conditions talking specifically about the differences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_bVHe70Sg
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A winter test run between the TM Model 3 and a Chevy Bolt EV would be fun to watch and analyze. My bets are for the Chevy Bolt EV!
In the ICE world the advantage of FWD cars in snow was related to the mass distribution. More mass over the front wheels produced better traction. Without an engine in the front compartment, and the heavy battery pack on the floor, I'd expect a Model S to be better than a standard ICE RWD vehicle because the mass would be more over the rear wheels. Moreover, the torque of a motor can change much more rapidly than that of an engine, so traction control will be superior in an EV. Finally, because the battery pack in an electric will increase the mass, the traction will be better to begin with than what you'd find in a comparable ICE vehicle. So several advantages to the BEV. (Plus no need to heft sand bags into the back!)
Given all these factors, it wouldn't be surprising if a RWD BEV performed as well in snow as a AWD ICE vehicle. Assuming of course similar tires. Those make a big difference. On ice I'd take anything with studded snow tires over anything without.
Given all these factors, it wouldn't be surprising if a RWD BEV performed as well in snow as a AWD ICE vehicle. Assuming of course similar tires. Those make a big difference. On ice I'd take anything with studded snow tires over anything without.
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For the record, I really did originally think there had been a demonstration
I went and watched several of these videos, and I appreciate your providing them. I particularly enjoyed watching the one at the 17:15. Now, don't get mad or upset. My Subaru, with regular stock all season tires, could have stopped cold turkey on that small grade hill smack dab in the middle of it. THEN, took off without spinning a tire. The Tesla needed two attempts and barely made it.
I also enjoyed the one where the Mini Van (which of course is just 2wd and FWD of course) just cruises along and he is saying it should be out on this road. Most of these roads were flatter than a pancake. My 1987 Nissan Pulsar would have eaten these roads for lunch with some good old all season cooper tires
Interesting. So far, my coworker appears to be in the minority. I wonder how representative this is of all reservation holders because Tesla might not be able to get through all the RWD reservations before they have to start building AWD.
Not a reservation holder, but very interested in buying once you can get a reasonable build time after all pre-orders are satisfied.
Here in N. Texas AWD isn't really needed but every few years when we get an ice storm. Having never owned anything AWD, i kind of want one just for the hell of it, mostly for whatever increased acceleration/performance it would offer.
If the base model can do 0-60 in 5.6... I'd hope their awd model with the "big" battery could shave that down to 4.x
Here in N. Texas AWD isn't really needed but every few years when we get an ice storm. Having never owned anything AWD, i kind of want one just for the hell of it, mostly for whatever increased acceleration/performance it would offer.
If the base model can do 0-60 in 5.6... I'd hope their awd model with the "big" battery could shave that down to 4.x
Given the rest of the Tesla lineup, I'd say that's fairly likely - and the 3P75D will probably be right around 3.0 when it finally arrives.
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If when it is time to replace my Volt in 2024 or so the Model 3 is the best option make mine a maximum battery size RWD with leather interior as the only options please. Basically I want a 300+ mile FWD or RWD sedan for my next car to complement my wife's (hopefully BEV) CUV.
Ask them when they put their reservation in, odds are if they reserved one prior to the actual reveal they won't get the full tax credit unless Tesla is willing to sandbag tens of thousands of US quarterly deliveries...
I want AWD for safer winter travel here in the PNW. I look forward to seeing how well my FWD does in my new Volt this next Winter season. One of my concerns is how low the Volt sits to the ground. If there is any depth to the snow I think it is going to plow and that will not be good. The Tesla with AWD hopefully will have an adjustable suspension height (air suspension)...that might be critical in some situations.
According to the Tesla Model S vs M3 comparison, coil springs only...If and when air suspension is available, it surely cost extra...
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