How Tesla's S, E, X Model Line-Up Was Quashed By Ford

Tesla is officially entering the executive saloon market with the Model III, an all-electric rival to the likes of the BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class.

The Tesla range currently includes the Model S (for sedan) and Model X (for crossover). Speaking to Auto Express, Elon Musk revealed the brand’s original naming strategy for the III: “we had the model S and X, we might as well have the E!”

Unfortunately for Musk, Ford didn’t see the funny side, and sued for use of the Model E name - “I thought this is crazy, Ford’s trying to kill sex! The new model is going to be called Model III, we’ll have three bars to represent it and it’ll be S III X!”, Musk said in the same interview.

Key to breaking into this market will not only be providing batteries with a long range, but also ensuring a suitable recharging infrastructure. Tesla hopes to have this covered, with an expected range of around 200 miles for the III and free use of Tesla’s Supercharger network. Musk also reckons that owners could drive anywhere in the UK using the network by the end of 2015.

The new car is likely to have an all-new platform rather than chopping a little length out of the Model S’s underpinnings. The new car should be around 20 per cent smaller than the S and X, and will retail for about £30,000 in the UK and $35,000 in the US. It is expected to go on sale in 2017.