Tesla Begins Delivery Of Standard Model 3 With Locked Features

Tesla Inc. has at last begun deliveries of its $35,000 base Standard Range (SR) Model 3 it launched back in February.

This version comes with software-locked features that limit range and some amenities, however. According to Tesla, the range of the SR Model 3 “will be limited by 10%, and several features will be disabled via software (including our onboard music streaming service, navigation with live traffic visualization, and heated seats).”

These limitations apply to the two versions of this electric vehicle (EV), which start at $35,400 and $39,900. Tesla said it will allow SR Model 3 owners upgrade to Standard Range Plus (SR+) features and vice-versa.

One of the owners of a newly delivered Standard Range Model 3 told Electrek his EV’s software-locked features include heating on only the front seats, a range limitation of 220 miles, no live maps and disabled fog lights. Autopilot is also not a standard feature on the SR Model 3.

This EV, however, came with the Immersive Sound feature Tesla said was supposed to have been disabled on the SR Model 3.

Hardware on the SR Model 3 such as the seats and center console is exactly the same as the Standard Range Plus. Tesla previously sold the SR Model 3 as a software-locked version of the Standard Range Plus.

Analysts noted Tesla doesn’t want to sell the SR Model 3 right now and would rather push the SR+. Tesla seems to have relented, however, on the assumption that selling the SR Model 3 might boost its sales dramatically and open the door wider to more sales of the SR+.

After being on the market for only three months, the SR Model 3 saw its price hiked by $400 on May 14. This means cheapest Model 3 available on or off-the-menu will now carry a price of $35,400.

The $400 price hike also applies to all variants of the Model 3, taking the cheapest listed Model 3 on the Tesla to $39,900.

Tesla said this price increase applies to all Model 3 variants, including off-menu Standard Range and Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. Leasing for Model 3 Standard Range Plus continues to be available for $399/month.