The first batches of Tesla Model 3s will be rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive versions to follow down the road. Getty Images

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Tesla seems committed to keeping its Model 3 car as affordable as possible, at least when the car initially launches later this year.

CEO Elon Musk recently said that the first batch of Tesla Model 3s will have rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive, with AWD models coming after six to nine months. And the “performance” version of the car, with a bigger battery pack, may take a year. All of those fancier features will also boost the cost of the car, beyond its advertised starting price of $35,000 before incentives.