Tesla Model 3: 276,000 orders and counting

In the space of just 24 hours following its launch in California last week, orders for the new Tesla Model 3 sat a shade under 200k. By the end of play on Saturday, that order book had swollen to a whopping 276,000 - and counting. Meaning if all those deposits translated into sales of even the base Model 3, that'd mean over $9.6b worth of Tesla. And there hasn't even been a Tesla Model 3 test drive yet.

Most of the orders though, were with an option mix taking the price from the base car's $35k up to an average of $42k, which means more than eleven billion dollars. Yikes.

Musk revealed the figure via Twitter over the weekend, where he also confirmed that the new Model 3 will of course, be rear-wheel-drive, with the option of a dual-motor AWD version. But, "even RWD will have great traction on ice due to fast torque response of Tesla drivetrain". Slidey.

The Model 3 of course, will have enough power to accelerate from 0-60mph in under six seconds, be able to cover at least 215 miles on a single charge, offer space for five in comfort, and - if all goes to plan - help Musk save the planet.

Read our definitive guide to the Tesla Model 3 here, and then let us know if you'd consider a Model 3, below.