Production-ready Tesla Model 3 caught on camera

Tesla is expected to start production of its most affordable car - the Model 3 from July this year. The automaker is in the final stages of testing the car. A couple of undisguised test mules of the Model 3 have been photographed just outside the company's headquarters in Palo Alto, California.

The source of these spy shots suggests that the spotted models are 'release candidates' i.e., they are in the final production-ready guise. Not much appears to have changed on the production-spec Model 3, as compared to the first prototype that was unveiled in 2016. However, the front-end has been given some minor tweaks, especially around the nose contours.

Reports indicate that the car will come with a total of 10 cameras which will help in making the autopilot system more efficient. The Model 3 was spotted alongside a BMW 3-series, which was likely being used as a benchmarking car. A couple of shots of the interiors have also surfaced, showing the massive tablet-like touchscreen in the centre and an overall minimalistic dashboard layout. It will continue to be offered with some of Tesla's semi-autonomous driving features as well.

At the time of the car's unveil, Tesla CEO - Elon Musk, had announced that the production model will be launched sometime in 2017 at a starting price of US$ 35,000. The company is already said to have received over 4 lakh bookings for the Model 3 from around the world.