The Tesla Model 3 has already proven itself capable of tearing into asphalt like a track car. Now, Elon Musk’s electric car company is showing off how much of a beast the EV can be even in snowy conditions.
On Tuesday, the company published a video on Instagram and Twitter of a Model 3 making a series of three quick turns in a snow-covered track in New Zealand. The automobile is seen effortlessly gliding around corners similar to what it’s capable of on tarmac.
The promotional video was accompanied by an announcement that all Tesla cars will become $3,750 more expensive come January 1, 2019. That’s because the federal tax credit that cuts the cost of any Tesla purchase in the United States by $7,500 will be reduced by half in the new year. This rebate will begin phasing out because Musk’s company has sold more than “200,000 qualified EVs,” a threshold established by the U.S. Department of Energy.
If you want to take advantage of the final days of the full $7,500 credit, you’ll need to ensure you get your vehicle before January. The only way to do that at this point is to pick it up straight from the Fremont factory, as deliveries can take as long as eight weeks for east coast customers.
Here’s how the three Model 3 variants will cost after the full federal tax credit is reduced to half:
- Mid Range Battery with Rear-Wheel Drive: From $32,200 to $35,950
- Long Range Battery with Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive: From $39,200 to $42,950
- Performance Edition with Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive: From $50,200 to $53,950
If you didn’t make the cut off then you’ll have to shell out a bit more dough to try out the Model 3’s drifting capabilities. It’s unclear which of the three variants of the M3 is being showcased in the footage seen above. However, if it is a performance-edition, it could be demonstrating the new handling capabilities that a Track Mode update introduced in November.
The EV’s handling capabilities aren’t going anywhere, the car will just be a little harder on your wallet.
