What's Next After Tesla's Sporty Model X
Hint: Something more affordable.
— -- With Tesla Model X deliveries officially underway, Elon Musk and his team can now look ahead to another big future delivery -- the affordable Model 3.
Musk, the CEO of the automotive company, revealed earlier this month that the electric car company will show off the look of its lower-cost Model 3 in March and will begin taking pre-orders around that time. The smaller sedan is expected to cost around $35,000 and will begin production in 2017.
"Demand would be much higher for a vehicle like that because of its price. It puts Tesla right in the meat of the market," Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, told ABC News in May after Musk announced the project.
With the Model 3 expected to be around half the price of the Model S, Brauer said he expects some features -- such as autonomous driving -- likely wouldn't be included in the cheaper Tesla.
What he does expect, however, is a cohesive Tesla experience that will stand out from the growing competition at the lower price point. That means a long battery life, a large touchscreen display in the car and driver-assist features, such as smart cruise control, and compelling styling.
While the world will have to wait a few more months before getting a first look at the design, the veil was lifted on the sporty Model X on Tuesday night at an event near Tesla's Fremont, California, factory.
The crossover vehicle is Tesla's third model and will join the Model S on the market. The signature series Model X will cost in the low six-figure range for customers seeking a fully loaded, top-of-the-line experience.
With the same options as a Model S, the new car will cost $5,000 more because of its size and body complexity, Musk tweeted. The base Model S starts at $70,000, not including any tax incentives that could be used at the federal and state level for electric vehicles.
The Model X can seat seven people in three rows of seats, with the car having wing-like doors instead of opening from the sides.