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[androvsky]

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

The Kia Soul is less than half the price. It's not so much that the Bolt looks bad (I think it's terrible even for an econobox), but that styling is synonymous with cheap, especially in the US (hence my parenthetical reference to "econobox"). I suspect that most people ready to drop $35k+ on a car would not be too thrilled with something that looks like a $15k car. It's also why people are excited about the Tesla, it looks like an expensive car.

So far every pure electric I've seen has had the econobox look to them, to the point where you could assume it was some sort of passive-aggressive statement by the automakers. "You want an electric car? Fine, here's your electric car, we made it look like our cheapest, crappiest car, only it's twice the price. Oh, it's not selling well? Guess it's back to giant SUVs with huge profit margins, darn." Tesla has been one of the first companies to act like it actually wants to sell pure electric cars, and more than that, make people want to buy them for reasons other that they're pure electric.

 

[giga]

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.

i'd wager those sell more due to price

 

[gogogow]

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.

I'm sure there are people that are gonna sell a Model 3 grill that'll let you stick it on the front of your car with some adhesive 3M tape.

 

[Lace]

I'm sure there are people that are gonna sell a Model 3 grill that'll let you stick it on the front of your car with some adhesive 3M tape.

My greatest fear is it popping off driving down a highway.

 

[Technosteve]

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

37K kia

 

[Shogmaster]

37K kia

There are $50K Kia like the K900. Better car than $50K American sedans IMO,

 

[gogogow]

My greatest fear is it popping off driving down a highway.

A lot of people are using 3M doublesided tape, even for spoilers, so for a grill at the front of the car is gonna be fine. But if you want to be sure, you can also use betalink, then it's permanant.

 

[Jack Scofield]

I have no idea how charging these cars works, so please bear with me if this is a stupid question. I live in an apartment complex that doesn't have charging in the garage. Is there some type of product that I can charge in my apartment, then, when this is fully charged, attach to the Tesla and begin charging?

It's probably not very practical for me to buy one of these if this is my situation but man, is it tempting.

 

[giga]

There are $50K Kia like the K900. Better car than $50K American sedans IMO,

And how many units of those have they moved in the US?

 

[Shogmaster]

And how many units of those have they moved in the US?

If you taking sales as gauge for quality, Milli Vanilli is better all of your and my favorite bands probably.

 

[Anion]

There are $50K Kia like the K900. Better car than $50K American sedans IMO,

Ironically (not really) they dont have the Kia badges on them. Same with the $50-60k Hyundai

 

[giga]

If you taking sales as gauge for quality, Milli Vanilli is better all of your and my favorite bands probably.

No one is saying this.

 

[Anion]

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

Completely changes the look IMO.

Can one of you guys connect the grills and make it one big one, just for kicks?

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.

Would it even be significant, if they just make the bumper a different shinny black color there. So no need for an actual grill - like the Model S

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Would it even be significant, if they just make the bumper a different shinny black color there. So no need for an actual grill - like the Model S

Yeah, no need for grill. Just make it a black plastic lip. Just like his mockup, or the way they have it in Subaru BRZ.

Is cost the reason why it's one flat part? Easier or cheaper to manufacture?

 

[nomster]

I have no idea how charging these cars works, so please bear with me if this is a stupid question. I live in an apartment complex that doesn't have charging in the garage. Is there some type of product that I can charge in my apartment, then, when this is fully charged, attach to the Tesla and begin charging?

It's probably not very practical for me to buy one of these if this is my situation but man, is it tempting.

Nothing I've ever heard of. It's a big ass battery, I can't imagine there will be a portable solution that would work for you.

 

[Technosteve]

There are $50K Kia like the K900. Better car than $50K American sedans IMO,

So when is the kia ev coming out

 

[subrock]

This grill angst is hilarious. Give me min CD over a dumb ICE vestige

 

[Technosteve]

I have some terrible news, the trunk is not a liftgate. I wonder if thats an option to add liftgate like the S

 

[Lace]

A lot of people are using 3M doublesided tape, even for spoilers, so for a grill at the front of the car is gonna be fine. But if you want to be sure, you can also use betalink, then it's permanant.

I'm not familiar with Car modding, so it's good to know that 3M tape is strong enough to hold a spoiler on. I'd probably be wary of using anything permanent in case I somehow crack it or the plastic has quality issues.

Would it even be significant, if they just make the bumper a different shinny black color there. So no need for an actual grill - like the Model S

I don't think so, but I'm sure there is some math done on how it would affect the mpg if there was a slight ridge. I personally really like the base look of the car, but that mock up definitely got me excited about customizing it.

 

[TheAbsolution]

So when is the kia ev coming out

Uhhh, last year.

 

[Shogmaster]

So when is the kia ev coming out

There is an 80 mile range ev version of the Soul IIRC. Hyundai and Kia aren't serious bout EVs at all. Ironically, the supplier of Bolt's battery is LG chemical.

 

[ColdPizza]

There are $50K Kia like the K900. Better car than $50K American sedans IMO,

I have a fully loaded Optima (laugh if you want) and friends with luxury cars have told me I have way better amenities than them. If the car remains reliable then I'll be a happy person. I love it so far after a year.

 

[Shogmaster]

I have a fully loaded Optima (laugh if you want) and friends with luxury cars have told me I have way better amenities than them. If the car remains reliable then I'll be a happy person. I love it so far after a year.

Optima is one of those cars that checks all the boxes in that segment. Looks, value, quality, etc.. If it had Toyota or Honda name on it, it would have sold several times more IMO.

 

[Abounder]

The Kia Soul is less than half the price. It's not so much that the Bolt looks bad (I think it's terrible even for an econobox), but that styling is synonymous with cheap, especially in the US (hence my parenthetical reference to "econobox"). I suspect that most people ready to drop $35k+ on a car would not be too thrilled with something that looks like a $15k car. It's also why people are excited about the Tesla, it looks like an expensive car.

So far every pure electric I've seen has had the econobox look to them, to the point where you could assume it was some sort of passive-aggressive statement by the automakers. "You want an electric car? Fine, here's your electric car, we made it look like our cheapest, crappiest car, only it's twice the price. Oh, it's not selling well? Guess it's back to giant SUVs with huge profit margins, darn." Tesla has been one of the first companies to act like it actually wants to sell pure electric cars, and more than that, make people want to buy them for reasons other that they're pure electric.

Yessir. Tesla is offering the most features and style for $35k, it's what the market has been wanting ever since the funky Prius turned into a hit. The plug-ins from other manufacturers are just too much of an exercise in compromise especially since many of them are jury-rigged on chassis for ICE

 

[metareferential]

Damn, it's tempting...

1k now and then there's time to actually decide what to do.

Realistically I'll be looking at what? 2018 at the earliest (I'm in Europe)?

Gas here is crazy expensive; and my government is punishing sports car owners like myself with taxes.

How's tesla policy with prices? Does the 35k mean I'll have to add 20k on accessories?

 

[mcfrank]

The bolt looks like it should be 15-18k. It is not even in the same league as the model 3. Shame, I want the other manufacturers to wake up and make good EVs.

 

[Slayer-33]

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

Not bad at all.

 

[titiklabingapat]

Not sure if it has been answered before, but is there a way to dim that glass roof? Would be hot on a very warm sunny day if you can't.

 

[ColdPizza]

Not sure if it has been answered before, but is there a way to dim that glass roof? Would be hot on a very warm sunny day if you can't.

I'm sure it wasn't dimmed purposely for demonstration purposes.

And even then, a professional tinter could dim it.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Not sure if it has been answered before, but is there a way to dim that glass roof? Would be hot on a very warm sunny day if you can't.

I would hate to have the Sun beating down on me through the roof as well on a hot day.

 

[Vormund]

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.

Yeah I really like that mockup and it could still be nice and flush and you wouldn't have to give up mpg.

I mentioned this before also, but it could be used as a sensor bar for radar cruise control/parking sensors etc, so it could actually serve some purpose as well.

 

[fritolay]

In the US, there are still not enough fast charge locations. I know there is an existing map, but is there a future map that shows expected progress by 2018?

 

[Jzero]

I want one so bad. It'll definitely be my next car

Spoiler

in a few years

 

[ColdPizza]

I'm curious how much the fully loaded option will cost.

 

[Luigiv]

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

Pretty good, but we need to go deeper...

I need it!

 

[Technosteve]

needs ground effects and sponsor stickers

 

[Luigiv]

needs ground effects and sponsor stickers

Indeed, but I don't have the time or skills to do that. Feel free to add to it if you want.

 

[Flo_Evans]

I'm curious how much the fully loaded option will cost.

It will probably be similar to a base model s -> p85d price.

Awd, larger batt, autopilot... Probably about +20k fully loaded.

 

[mcfrank]

It will probably be similar to a base model s -> p85d price.

Awd, larger batt, autopilot... Probably about +20k fully loaded.

Model S goes from 75,000 up to 143,000. If we keep that range this will go from 35,000 to 103,000. If we keep the percentage, it will go from 35,000 to 67,000.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Model S goes from 75,000 up to 143,000. If we keep that range this will go from 35,000 to 103,000. If we keep the percentage, it will go from 35,000 to 67,000.

um no model s starts at 60 and goes to 95k.

Adding Awd is 5k and bigger batt is 15k

Edit rwd base is actually $56,900

ER...oh wait that is the "after savings" price... Damn those things are expensive!

 

[Zaptruder]

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

Looks good. And one can actually achieve that look with some black vinyl and a laser cutter.

 

[Luigiv]

Model S goes from 75,000 up to 143,000. If we keep that range this will go from 35,000 to 103,000. If we keep the percentage, it will go from 35,000 to 67,000.

I suspect the latter is more likely. Most options are going to cheaper than their S counterparts and I suspect there'll be fewer of them overall. Tesla just can't get away with the same margins when the base price is lower. The predicted average price of 42k is telling too.

 

[mcfrank]

um no model s starts at 60 and goes to 95k.

Adding Awd is 5k and bigger batt is 15k

Edit rwd base is actually $56,900

Read that again

 

[iceblade997]

There is an 80 mile range ev version of the Soul IIRC. Hyundai and Kia aren't serious bout EVs at all. Ironically, the supplier of Bolt's battery is LG chemical.

They're saying they want to be the second largest hybrid manufacturer behind Toyota and just announced the hybrid / plugin hybrid / EV only (ie, no ICE option) Hyundai Ioniq at the New York Auto Show. Perhaps they've been a bit slow or quiet, but they have aspirations and EVs seem to be at least part of that.

 

[Luigiv]

um no model s starts at 60 and goes to 95k.

Adding Awd is 5k and bigger batt is 15k

Edit rwd base is actually $56,900

Umm look closer. 56,900 is after Tesla factors in some cheeky maths based around hypothetical "gas savings" and tax credits. The actual price is the cash price at the bottom, which is 70,000.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Umm look closer. 56,900 is after Tesla factors in some cheeky maths based around hypothetical "gas savings" and tax credits. The actual price is the cash price at the bottom, which is 70,000.

Ya I see it now ;_;

That's why I didn't buy one lol. Tricky Elon.

Actually makes the model 3 seem like a steal at 35k!

 

[iceblade997]

In the US, there are still not enough fast charge locations. I know there is an existing map, but is there a future map that shows expected progress by 2018?

It just shows at the end of 2016 and Musk said by the end of 2017 the amount of Superchargers and destination chargers is slated to have doubled and quadrupled respectively to ~7200 and ~15000. The end-of-2016 map is here.

http://imgur.com/lhYijcG (that's the pic of the map for 2016)

 

[Cow Mengde]

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

I'd buy that.

 

[sc0la]

Looks good. And one can actually achieve that look with some black vinyl and a laser cutter.

You can't cut vinyl in a co2 laser it releases chlorine gas.

today's useless fact

 

[fritolay]

It just shows at the end of 2016 and Musk said by the end of 2017 the amount of Superchargers and destination chargers is slated to have doubled and quadrupled respectively to ~7200 and ~15000. The end-of-2016 map is here.

http://imgur.com/lhYijcG (that's the pic of the map for 2016)

Even if it doubles or quadruples, there is just 1 close to Dallas. 1 outside OKC, 1 in KC, 1 in STL. That's not enough. 0 in New Orleans, 0 in the whole state of Arkansas.