Tesla Will Start Taking AWD Model 3 Orders Next Week

Elon Musk announced Tesla will open up the order books for all-wheel drive and high-performance Model 3 variants by the end of next week.

Quizzed by a fan about new details for the additional Model 3 versions, Musk added that production will commence in July and that the (optional) air suspension for the entry-level sedan will probably arrive next year.

Since the electric automaker ditched rear-wheel drive for the Model S and Model X in favor of all-wheel drive, the Model 3 is the only Tesla currently sold with power sent exclusively to the rear axle. While we don’t expect RWD to be ditched, all-wheel drive could very well become the most popular configuration among owners.

Tesla fans are sure to go wild when AWD is announced

In any case, we know that high-end performance derivatives of the Model 3 will be sold with dual electric motors for maximum traction. At this stage, it is difficult to know how much grunt these models will have, but we would not be surprised to see them capable of dipping into the 3-second range when accelerating from naught to 62 mph (100 km/h).

While the Model 3 has technically been in production for 10 months, the promised entry-level, $35,000 version with the small capacity battery pack still remains unavailable.

Tesla will enable orders end of next week for dual motor AWD & performance. Starting production of those in July. Air suspension prob next year.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 11, 2018