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[subrock]

One year.

By the end of 2017, so basically 2 years.

 

[Malleymal]

Too much can happen in two years.... I'll wait. Excited to see these on the streets, and the competition that comes from it.

 

[Korey]

i need a mockup in ferrari/lambo yellow

 

[subrock]

These are the optional faux fur finishes right?

 

[pj]

At this point there's really no reason to preorder. You ain't getting a car before 2019 and who knows what other manufacturers will be putting out by then.

By the time this thing comes out, a used bolt with 200 miles of range will probably be in the mid 20k range.

 

[Korey]

At this point there's really no reason to preorder. You ain't getting a car before 2019 and who knows what other manufacturers will be putting out by then.

By the time this thing comes out, a used bolt with 200 miles of range will probably be in the mid 20k range.

Why did they announce it so far ahead of actual production? Is this normal for cars?

 

[Mengy]

Why did they announce it so far ahead of actual production? Is this normal for cars?

Nah it's not normal, it's just to generate both some positive buzz and some money for Tesla.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

I'm quite surprised that there are no dashboard HUD or indicators. Everything is on the 15 inch screen? It's going to be very interesting.

Nah it's not normal, it's just to generate both some positive buzz and some money for Tesla.

Yeah, watching the video posted by Engadget, they talk about how it's still a design prototype and may see some changes.

 

[Wheeljack539]

I'm quite surprised that there are no dashboard HUD or indicators. Everything is on the 15 inch screen? It's going to be very interesting.



Yeah, watching the video posted by Engadget, they talk about how it's still a design prototype and may see some changes.

Yeah, both the Model S and Model X prototypes were different from the final product.

Model S prototype interior:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1020358_we-ride-in-the-worlds-only-2012-tesla-model-s-prototype

Model S Production Interior:

Model X Prototype interior:

Model X Production:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2016-tesla-model-x-first-drive/#slide-3828212

 

[Futureman]

what does Tesla use for mapping/navigation? Just some in-house software?

 

[Jisgsaw]

Why did they announce it so far ahead of actual production? Is this normal for cars?

It's not normal at all.
2 years before the start of production is usually when an OEM starts making the first complete prototypes (ie. not based on previous cars). They usually guard these well and use camouflage to make them unrecognizable.

I see several potential reason why Tesla would break with that:
- Make some fast cash that they may need for the production
- Quantify the interest for the model 3. This also helps if they ever need to go to investors for more money
- Don't bother with camouflage and the usual restriction for open road testing
- Ride on the current hype they have
- Announce their 2018 model before other OEMs. There will be a lot of new EVs coming in 2018, announcing first brings the eyes on them, and skews any comparison with the models that will come in 2018 in their favor.

 

[Shogmaster]

It's not normal at all.
2 years before the start of production is usually when an OEM starts making the first complete prototypes (ie. not based on previous cars). They usually guard these well and use camouflage to make them unrecognizable.

I see several potential reason why Tesla would break with that:
- Make some fast cash that they may need for the production
- Quantify the interest for the model 3. This also helps if they ever need to go to investors for more money
- Don't bother with camouflage and the usual restriction for open road testing
- Ride on the current hype they have
- Announce their 2018 model before other OEMs. There will be a lot of new EVs coming in 2018, announcing first brings the eyes on them, and skews any comparison with the models that will come in 2018 in their favor.

It's actually because of Chevy Bolt IMO. Bolt is on the dealer lots this holiday. This Model 3 announcement will put the focus squarely back on Tesla for electric car mind share.

 

[giga]

Who's gonna make a Model 3 OT?

Also, sweet test drive videos from the back seat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b6wS4o2kLk&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM0-tKOsbNw

That acceleration. 💦

 

[sc0la]

These are the optional faux fur finishes right?

Bloom Filter finish

 

[SteveMeister]

It's actually because of Chevy Bolt IMO. Bolt is on the dealer lots this holiday. This Model 3 announcement will put the focus squarely back on Tesla for electric car mind share.

Nah, Tesla did the same thing for Model S and Model X. This is standard practice for Tesla.

 

[mf.luder]

Nah, Tesla did the same thing for Model S and Model X. This is standard practice for Tesla.

Yeah, this is nothing new.

I hope Part 2 isn't too far away.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Personally, I think it looks underwhelming, and in some angles, downright ugly.

 

[2MF]

Car looks cool, but given that their previous cars got production delays, as well as the huge number of pre-orders, I suspect people might be waiting a looooong time.

 

[Trouble]

I forsee a healthy aftermarket for decals where the grill would be.

 

[sfedai0]

I forsee a healthy aftermarket for decals where the grill would be.

Decals? More like entire bumper replacement with a grill for those who would want one. The aftermarket for this will be healthy since the entry point is much more affordable. This car would look very good lowered on some aftermarket rims.

 

[Shogmaster]

Nah, Tesla did the same thing for Model S and Model X. This is standard practice for Tesla.

Bolt is a big deal. $37K pure eCar that gives you 200 mile range in 2016. It wasn't like Model S and X competing against Leafs, i3 and Volt. Bolt has been getting ALOT of attention. I think rightly Tesla wanted the focus back on them.

 

[mcfrank]

253k preorders as of this morning. Starting to slow down a bit. I am guessing they hit 350k in the first week which is simply mind boggling.

 

[Technosteve]

Bolt is a big deal. $37K pure eCar that gives you 200 mile range in 2016. It wasn't like Model S and X competing against Leafs, i3 and Volt. Bolt has been getting ALOT of attention. I think rightly Tesla wanted the focus back on them.

But the bolt looks like a box on wheels

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Decals? More like entire bumper replacement with a grill for those who would want one. The aftermarket for this will be healthy since the entry point is much more affordable. This car would look very good lowered on some aftermarket rims.

Powered by Tesla

 

[subrock]

Bolt is a big deal. $37K pure eCar that gives you 200 mile range in 2016. It wasn't like Model S and X competing against Leafs, i3 and Volt. Bolt has been getting ALOT of attention. I think rightly Tesla wanted the focus back on them.

I think you have it the wrong way around. Tesla has been talking about the date of the unveil long before the bolt was being talked about. GM knows their competition is Tesla and is trying to get a first mover advantage. I'm personally extremely jazzed about electric vehicles of all sort but there's no way in hell Im buying a GM

 

[titiklabingapat]

The more you watch him, the more you'll like his style. He obviously knows his shit, doesn't bullshit, and can and will gets down into the finest details of any given part of his products.

Yeah, this. It's actually quite endearing. The only thing I disagree with him is the hyperloop but I'd love to be proven wrong on that one,

 

[Shogmaster]

But the bolt looks like a box on wheels

Some may like that form factor better for ease of passenger entry and the like. And the crossover is pleasing to many people.

 

[Shogmaster]

I think you have it the wrong way around. Tesla has been talking about the date of the unveil long before the bolt was being talked about. GM knows their competition is Tesla and is trying to get a first mover advantage. I'm personally extremely jazzed about electric vehicles of all sort but there's no way in hell in buying a GM

Bolt discussion dates back to it's unveiling at Detroit auto show back in January of 2015. Tesla back then only made general nebulous statements about Model 3's release date.

I've been following both for quite a while, believe me.

 

[giga]

The bolt won't sell half as many as the model 3, at 37k. You heard it here first.

 

[SteveMeister]

I love the Bolt, too, and am planning on replacing my Jetta diesel with one towards the end of the year. But I'm getting a Model S, too.

That said, while I agree that Bolt -- and any EV with its range -- is a huge deal, I don't think Tesla is doing much, if anything, with respect to the Model 3 in response to Bolt. Model 3 has been planned for a long time, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, they did the exact same sort of reveal and preorder event for both Model S and X.

And it's been Tesla's long game plan to release a reasonably priced, 200 mile range EV since the beginning, long before any specific mention of Model 3 (which they originally wanted to call Model E).

 

[curls]

Hyperloop is a interesting idea. Look up the 1970's era documentation from RAND for the same idea.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

Personally, I think it looks underwhelming, and in some angles, downright ugly.

Completely changes the look IMO.

 

[sc0la]

Decals? More like entire bumper replacement with a grill for those who would want one. The aftermarket for this will be healthy since the entry point is much more affordable. This car would look very good lowered on some aftermarket rims.

Ride height is adjustable through software. Doubt anybody would mess with it and risk screwing that up.

 

[curls]

Noooo! No more grill. Please! The less nooks and crannies to clean and maintain on a car ( interior and exterior ) the better.

 

[giga]

Completely changes the look IMO.

this is your brain on ICE

 

[sc0la]

The other reason a grill, even a fake one could be problematic is drag on the nose. At most they could get away with a smooth surface as they have and two tone paint before it affects performance. A recessed oval etc series seriously increases drag

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

Noooo! No more grill. Please! The less nooks and crannies to clean and maintain on a car ( interior and exterior ) the better.

It doesnt have to be a grill. The model S has a solid nose cone where a grill should be. The car is currently back heavy - the front looks timid. Some sort or accent or detail in the front would balance the car out.

this is your brain on ICE

?
I'm not familiar with this expression.

The other reason a grill, even a fake one could be problematic is drag on the nose. At most they could get away with a smooth surface as they have and two tone paint before it affects performance. A recessed oval etc series seriously increases drag

Like I said, it doesn't have to be a grill.

 

[Mr.Mike]

?
I'm not familiar with this expression.

Internal Combustion Engine

 

[DrEvil]

Just mocked this up... I hope this is an option.

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

Internal Combustion Engine

Ah. No, i just think it's a poor design choice. The front end looks meek compared to the large rear end. Giving it a strong aggressive face diverts attention from the back and focuses it on the front, giving the car more balance.

Dr Evil's mockup looks beautiful. I'd be on that car in an instant.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Just mocked this up... I hope this is an option.

Personally, I agree. Good mockup. Made it sexy.

 

[curls]

It doesnt have to be a grill. The model S has a solid nose cone where a grill should be. The car is currently back heavy - the front looks timid. Some sort or accent or detail in the front would balance the car out.

I would just continue the faint ridge flowing forwards from the wheel rim (between the headlamp and led). Clear and distinctive.

Car design needs a big rethink coming out of ICE technology. These Tesla guys need to be absolutely ruthless, because the consumers don't really know what they want an electric car to look like. People think it needs a bit of plastic and chrome on the front to look like a car for example. Be bold, be brave - take risks.

The only, and I mean only practical car design that was really thought through was the one Newson did for Ford years ago. It didnt look particularly modern or 'cool' in any way, but then it wasn't going for that. Everything was thought about with a fresh mindset.

 

[DrEvil]

Dr Evil's mockup looks beautiful. I'd be on that car in an instant.

Personally, I agree. Good mockup. Made it sexy.

Thanks.

It doesn't even have to be an actual grille.. in the mockup it's solid (just like the model S).. I think its the lack of a 'mouth' that throw most people off.

 

[KillGore]

Just mocked this up... I hope this is an option.

This is very good

 

[TheAbsolution]

But the bolt looks like a box on wheels

The bolt won't sell half as many as the model 3, at 37k. You heard it here first.

Kia manages to sell 100K Souls a year and thats pretty much the same box on wheels so clearly there is room for both aesthetics here.

 

[GYNGA]

I love the Bolt, too, and am planning on replacing my Jetta diesel with one towards the end of the year. But I'm getting a Model S, too.

That said, while I agree that Bolt -- and any EV with its range -- is a huge deal, I don't think Tesla is doing much, if anything, with respect to the Model 3 in response to Bolt. Model 3 has been planned for a long time, and as I mentioned in an earlier post, they did the exact same sort of reveal and preorder event for both Model S and X.

And it's been Tesla's long game plan to release a reasonably priced, 200 mile range EV since the beginning, long before any specific mention of Model 3 (which they originally wanted to call Model E).

On top of that the whole point of founding Tesla was to encorouge transition to sustainable transport. Cars like Bolt EV is what Elon Musk wants to see on the roads.

 

[reKon]

Just mocked this up... I hope this is an option.

looks great

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Thanks.

It doesn't even have to be an actual grille.. in the mockup it's solid (just like the model S).. I think its the lack of a 'mouth' that throw most people off.

Yeah, it just needs a plastic/matte mesh or a lip like the way you did it.

Send that to Elon Musk or Tesla on Twitter lol.

 

[Username1198]

But the bolt looks like a box on wheels

That's my main problem with it.

If only they could make a decent looking car with the specs of the Bolt.

 

[Lace]

Just mocked this up... I hope this is an option.

I really like this mockup. I'd be willing to give up just a tiny amount of mpg if it meant having that faux grill.