From Rumors To Reality: What We Know About Tesla Model C

According sources from “topelectricsuv”, “… on the second day of the 2022 B20 Summit Indonesia (November 14, 2022), the name of the affordable Tesla model came into question again. Musk attended the event virtually, and the host asked him if Tesla should christen its entry-level car ‘Model I,’ with the I standing for Indonesia and India, where affordable EVs may become popular in a few years. While he dodged the speculation, Musk admitted that a more economical Tesla makes sense and that the company should act on it“.

Reports suggest the Model C will have a lowered roof line and low center of gravity, helping it to have improved handling and stability. Inside, it is expected to have a spacious interior and high-tech features such as an infotainment system, similar to the ones already featured in the Model 3 and Model Y; it will allegedly have a top speed of around 120 mph, and be priced in the range of $25,000 to $30,000, which is indeed a significant drop from Tesla’s current EV models.

An alleged spy picture of this USD 25,000 Tesla from a factory, probably Gigafactory Shanghai, surfaced on January 4, 2023, on Chinese portals. Rather than a newly designed hatchback, the camouflaged model looked like a shortened, lowered, and narrowed Tesla Model Y. Additionally, it appeared to have a shorter wheelbase.

The design sketch was posted by Tesla on Chinese social media following the Made-in-China Tesla Model 3 launch ceremony in January 2020. During the event, Musk also stated that the company wanted to create a design and engineering center in China to design an original car for worldwide consumption. Following the message, Tesla invited candidates to submit portfolios. Soon after, the company was on a hiring spree in China for the Gigafactory.

It has also been speculated that the Model C will have some autonomous driving capabilities. Tesla states that all of its cars are equipped with the hardware necessary for full self-driving, so we can expect the Model C to have at least some basic autonomous features.

Given all the rumors and speculation, it appears that the Model C could be a great alternative for those looking for a more affordable alternative to Tesla’s other vehicles. It will likely provide a great balance between affordability, luxury, and performance.

The Tesla Model C is expected to be released in mid-2025. Whether it will actually make it to market during that year or later (as most experts say, based on Tesla´s actual performance as pertaining timelines), and what features it will finally have, remains to be seen, but it is sure to be an interesting vehicle!

Source: topelectricsuv

All images courtesy of Tesla Inc.

Nico Caballero is the VP of Finance of Cogency Power, specializing in solar energy. He also holds a Diploma in Electric Cars from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and enjoys doing research about Tesla and EV batteries. He can be reached at @NicoTorqueNews on Twitter. Nico covers Tesla and electric vehicle latest happenings at Torque News.