European cars can look perfectly at home on American roads. Not all of them, mind you, but certainly some, and probably most. The inverse, on the other hand, tends not to be true: most American cars look entirely out of place on the other side of the Atlantic.

But seeing the new Tesla Model 3 on the floor of the 2018 Paris Auto Show, we’re convinced it belongs as much in Europe as it does in America, and as much as any European car does.

Any regular (or even occasional) reader of this or just about any other car or tech site will likely already be familiar with the Model 3 – and the controversy surrounding it.

Tesla’s highly anticipated entry-level model has been more hyped than… um, whatever it is that Kim and Kanye are doing these days. The baby brother to the Model S that put Tesla on the map, the Model 3 is a mid-size sedan and the hottest-selling electric vehicle on the market.

It’s powered by either one electric motor at the rear (good for 271 horsepower or 202 kW) or one at each axle (for a combined 346 hp/258 kW) and through-the-road all-wheel drive.

The new Performance model goes even further with 450 hp (340 kW), and Tesla brought one of those to Paris as well. And there’ll be more accessible versions to follow, with a smaller battery – capable of 50 kWh instead of 75 – and a price tag promised to start at just $35,000 (in the US).

Before those more affordable models arrive, though, Elon Musk and company will have to overcome the trouble they’ve encountered in getting production of the existing versions up and running smoothly, and get the Model 3 into the hands of its eagerly awaiting customers – in the US and abroad.

Tesla Model 3 Performance - White Interior - Wide copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - White Interior - Touchscreen copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Turn copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Static Rear copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Rear Motion copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Front Motion - SF Skyline copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Above Tarmac copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Midnight Silver Tarmac Motion copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Dual Motor Badge copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Rear Sunset copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Overhead copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Driving Sunset copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Profile Grey New copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Mountain Pearl copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Rear Seat Blue Sky copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Keycard copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Glass Roof Blue Sky copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dashboard - Head On Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dash - Profile View copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dash - Desert copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Blue Driving copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - White Interior - Wide copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - White Interior - Touchscreen copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Turn copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Static Rear copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Rear Motion copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Front Motion - SF Skyline copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Red Above Tarmac copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Midnight Silver Tarmac Motion copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 Performance - Dual Motor Badge copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Rear Sunset copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Overhead copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Red Driving Sunset copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Profile Grey New copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Mountain Pearl copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Rear Seat Blue Sky copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Keycard copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Glass Roof Blue Sky copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dashboard - Head On Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dash - Profile View copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Interior Dash - Desert copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Tesla Model 3 - Blue Driving copy Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America
Auto Salon Paris / Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, France, Paris, 03 Tesla Model 3 Looks Just As At-Home In Paris As It Does In America

Live photos by Stefan Baldauf and Guido ten Brink for SB-Medien