Compact SUV to rise from Model 3, Minibus to form out of Model X
Hot of the heels of Tesla’s next ‘Master Plan’ as outlined by CEO Elon Musk recently, further speculation has surrounded the next specific model to be unveiled the California-based electric carmaker.
However, Mr. Musk has revealed over Twitter some further details concerning their product roadmap as the ‘Master Plan Part Deux’ (he really called it that) was a little vague in terms of providing a solid timeline.
As Musk put it, the Model Y (to round off the S.E/3.X.Y model line-up) will be a compact SUV built upon the smaller footprint of the Model 3 platform and a seven-seater people mover will follow and designed around repurposed Model X underpinnings.
His exact Tweeted words were: “Model Y (compact SUV) off Model 3 chassis. Tesla Bus/Minibus/Spacebus off Model X.”
In fact, the larger dimensions of the Model X would make it a prime candidate for the proposed electric cargo van and pick-up as described by Musk’s ‘Master Plan’. He also disclosed more information about other commercial-use vehicles that could also spawn out of the Model X base, saying that a Ford Transit rival would “probably make sense.”
Should these early semi-official confirmations from the Tesla CEO’s social media responses be worth their salt, they would have a pretty robust range of fully electric vehicles on offer for a variety of uses. And with the upcoming Roadster replacement, Tesla will be able to cater for the driving enthusiast as well as the load lugger.
Of course, these new models that Musk hinted at would benefit the most from Tesla’s forays into autonomous driving. Because one of the future uses for their Autopilot system would be to allow the vehicles to be used by authorised users when the owner would not need it, the purported Model X-based minibus could play a large role in making Tesla a major ride sharing provider.
“Since most cars are only in use by their owner for 5% to 10% of the day, the fundamental economic utility of a true self-driving car is likely to be several times that of a car which is not,” Musk added.
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